That new R2 / R3 steering wheel though...

[dleepnw]

i'm fascinated by the new steering wheel, specifically the scroll wheels, Rivian will be introducing with the R2. i think i have a good sense of what the interaction, response and feel is going to be like based on the way RJ described it and its going to be amazing. its brilliant. and its not a small thing because we obviously interact with it every time were in the vehicle. damn, it makes the R1 steering wheels' plastic micro buttons and dial seem archaic and cheap.

Sponsored

 

[TollKeeper]

I think that was done for aesthetics. It has a shorter dash, and a shorter main cluster.. Creates less of a blind spot when looking forward

Both of these things tell me that the seat may well seat lower in the body.

If I am correct, its a plus for me.. (as someone that is well over 6' tall)

 

[KBabione]

I'm curious to see how it's implemented...We're going to go from 6 input options on the steering column to 2. When a phone call comes in, what do I press? Changing the volume on the call clearly will involve moving a scroll wheel - Do you push in on the wheel to end the call? If so, do I need to worry about accidentally ending the call if I need to change the volume?

Not a complaint or a concern - I'm sure they'll address this. Just a curiosity. I've had to teach myself not to use the touchscreen on my Subaru Outback to end a call because if the other end hangs up before I hit the screen, the button switches from "Hang Up" to "Call Back" (which is just a stupid user interface).

 

[Stickboy46]

I'm curious to see how it's implemented...We're going to go from 6 input options on the steering column to 2. When a phone call comes in, what do I press? Changing the volume on the call clearly will involve moving a scroll wheel - Do you push in on the wheel to end the call? If so, do I need to worry about accidentally ending the call if I need to change the volume?

Not a complaint or a concern - I'm sure they'll address this. Just a curiosity. I've had to teach myself not to use the touchscreen on my Subaru Outback to end a call because if the other end hangs up before I hit the screen, the button switches from "Hang Up" to "Call Back" (which is just a stupid user interface).

I was curious on that too. I'm assuming they will be able to click left and right? Otherwise you are going to have two different software stacks. Things like the garage door opener, phone calls, music, cruise control etc all use the left right functionality

 

[ThatOneGuy]

I'm curious to see how it's implemented...We're going to go from 6 input options on the steering column to 2. When a phone call comes in, what do I press? Changing the volume on the call clearly will involve moving a scroll wheel - Do you push in on the wheel to end the call? If so, do I need to worry about accidentally ending the call if I need to change the volume?

Not a complaint or a concern - I'm sure they'll address this. Just a curiosity. I've had to teach myself not to use the touchscreen on my Subaru Outback to end a call because if the other end hangs up before I hit the screen, the button switches from "Hang Up" to "Call Back" (which is just a stupid user interface).

For what it's worth, Tesla's vehicles have operated with only two scrolling buttons for a while now. Basically speaking, the two separate steering wheel buttons allow for the following inputs: scrolling up & down, inward push, and "clicking" left or right. The actions for each control input change based on the desired function, like changing songs or answering a call, and the screen indicates which input from which button will do what thing.

- For instance, you might use the left button to skip to the next song by right "clicking", then scrolling upwards to turn up the volume.
- At or around the same time, you can use the right button to bump up the cruise control speed by scrolling upwards, or change the cruise control follow distance by "clicking" left to reduce distance or right to increase it
- A minute later, you receive an incoming call and left "click" to answer or right "click to decline, the actions of which are indicated on the display.
- If it starts to rain while you're on your call and your auto-wipers are off, you hold in the left button, scroll through a short menu and select the wiper option, and set the wiper speed by "clicking" left or right.

While all of this might sound complicated, it's actually somewhat easy to get the hang of and becomes pretty natural after a while. Should you forget the action for something, everything is generally queued on the screen or can be figured out intuitively. I expect Rivian's approach to their buttons will be similarly intuitive and natural, if not more so.

 

[Twitter Fingers]

I'm curious to see how it's implemented...We're going to go from 6 input options on the steering column to 2. When a phone call comes in, what do I press? Changing the volume on the call clearly will involve moving a scroll wheel - Do you push in on the wheel to end the call? If so, do I need to worry about accidentally ending the call if I need to change the volume?

Not a complaint or a concern - I'm sure they'll address this. Just a curiosity. I've had to teach myself not to use the touchscreen on my Subaru Outback to end a call because if the other end hangs up before I hit the screen, the button switches from "Hang Up" to "Call Back" (which is just a stupid user interface).

It's not going from 6 to 2. It's going from 6 to 6. It will be intuitive and you will get the hang of it quickly.

 

[Riviot]

Why have a different steering wheel at all though? Why not simplify supply lines with a single wheel?

 

[KBabione]

It's not going from 6 to 2. It's going from 6 to 6. It will be intuitive and you will get the hang of it quickly.

Thanks - That makes a lot of sense. I figured pushing in would be another input, but hadn't thought about left and right "clicks" on the scroll wheels. True first-world concerns...

 

[RivianRiverRat]

Notice that the stalks have scroll wheels also

 

[NY_Rob]

Notice that the stalks have scroll wheels also

I think I prefer that to the current up/down ridges on the R1 stalk switches. Scroll wheel is faster to adjust.

 

[White Shadow]

I don't understand this flat top steering wheel trend. In my opinion, it's just stupid. I have an Audi with a flat bottom steering wheel and I think that's stupid too. Steering wheels should be round. Flat parts just make turning them awkward. The only advantage that I see for my flat bottom steering wheel is that it gives me a bit more leg room in my Audi, but it's a car with a tight cockpit, so it sorta makes sense in that application. But putting a flat top on a steering wheel just makes no sense to me at all. I'd always prefer a completely round steering wheel on any vehicle.

 

[DuoRivian]

I don't understand this flat top steering wheel trend. In my opinion, it's just stupid. I have an Audi with a flat bottom steering wheel and I think that's stupid too. Steering wheels should be round. Flat parts just make turning them awkward. The only advantage that I see for my flat bottom steering wheel is that it gives me a bit more leg room in my Audi, but it's a car with a tight cockpit, so it sorta makes sense in that application. But putting a flat top on a steering wheel just makes no sense to me at all. I'd always prefer a completely round steering wheel on any vehicle.

Flat steering wheels as you mentioned make getting in and out easier and they are also “sporty” so they have an athestic quality

 

[White Shadow]

Flat steering wheels as you mentioned make getting in and out easier and they are also “sporty” so they have an athestic quality

Flat on the bottom, sure. Flat on the top though? Makes no difference. The sporty thing is kinda silly too. Just give me a round steering wheel and I'll be happy.

 

[godfodder0901]

Flat on the bottom, sure. Flat on the top though? Makes no difference. The sporty thing is kinda silly too. Just give me a round steering wheel and I'll be happy.

It helps with visibility of the rectangular screen behind it. Especially the upper left and right corners.

 

[White Shadow]

It helps with visibility of the rectangular screen behind it. Especially the upper left and right corners.

If it makes a difference, then I guess that's a good enough reason for it.

Sponsored