Software update _ how does it change ambiance lighting?

[irvineboy]

I remember the ambiance lighting inside the vehicle was a solid white color. After sw update, we got the choice of different colors. I thought the colors have to already be a physical built in diode. Educate me on how over the air update allows more color features?

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[godfodder0901]

I remember the ambiance lighting inside the vehicle was a solid white color. After sw update, we got the choice of different colors. I thought the colors have to already be a physical built in diode. Educate me on how over the air update allows more color features?

There were RGBW lights installed from the factory. The update enabled control of them.

 

[VSG]

Configurable ambient lighting color was added about nine months ago, in 2024.31.1 ?

Yes, the LEDs have always been RGB - we first found that out when 2022 Halloween mode was released

 

[irvineboy]

If they were RGB, why not enable them from day one?

 

[godfodder0901]

If they were RGB, why not enable them from day one?

 

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

If they were RGB, why not enable them from day one?

More important things to do?

 

[Darkneo]

What you should be asking is why we haven't gotten any more colors.

 

[SoCal Rob]

I remember the ambiance lighting inside the vehicle was a solid white color. After sw update, we got the choice of different colors. I thought the colors have to already be a physical built in diode. Educate me on how over the air update allows more color features?

This is probably related to how quickly Rivian could create code to run the vehicle and make improvements. Another example: when the R1T was released for sale to regular consumers, there was no garage door opener control function.

I suspect that the Gen2 vehicles have capacitive sensors in the front door handles because they both have stadium-shaped indents near the trailing edge of the handle, but only the driver’s door has the NFC reader for card access. Maybe the indent is just there for looks or maybe someday there will be another option for Gen2 to open and lock the vehicle without relying on proximity.

It can seem a little wasteful to include hardware that isn’t used from the start. On the other hand, it gives Rivian the ability to improve the vehicle later when software is developed to take advantage of the previously-unused hardware.

 

[SteveInBend]

If they were RGB, why not enable them from day one?

They have to hold some stuff back so there's enough to include in the monthly updates.

 

[ElGuano]

If they were RGB, why not enable them from day one?

Why not give us a custom color wheel now, rather than a very small palette of "curated colors?"

One part of the reason is Rivian very much wants to control the experience, and keep things in the luxe-outdoors-adventure theme. There was a report during Gen2 release where they were claimed to say they specifically didn't want people choosing wacky colors.

Another reason is likely that they always wanted variable ambient lighting, but it just wasn't important enough to prioritize until recently. There were also reports that the initial hardware (LED controllers) weren't powerful enough to make the experience what they wanted, so they deferred until a bunch of people complained and they gave in due to community feedback.

 

[TPBC]

On this same topic. Is everyone’s ambient lighting not as bright on the front driver’s side wood panel to the left of the steering wheel? Wasn’t sure if that’s intentional (not to distract the driver) or if mine was not installed properly. My drivers door lighting has the same brightness as the rest of the doors.

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