Rivian Electric Cars Have Learned to Drive Completely Hands-Free in Some Places

American electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has announced the release of a software update for its second-generation vehicles. The key innovation is the introduction of a self-driving function that will allow drivers to drive hands-free.

Image source: rivian.com

The new system, called Enhanced Highway Assist, controls steering, acceleration, and braking on 135,000 miles of select highways in the U.S. and Canada, The Verge reports. Rivian plans to significantly expand its coverage by adding the ability to operate on rural highways in 2026, which is important for the company because it has lagged behind its competitors in developing partially automated driving systems. Tesla (Autopilot) and General Motors (Super Cruise), for example, have long used similar technology.

Unlike some manufacturers that position such technologies as a safety feature, Rivian sees them more as a convenience feature. However, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers do not always correctly understand the information conveyed by the system’s displays. “New levels of automation can potentially improve safety,” says IIHS President David Harkey. “However, if drivers do not have a certain amount of knowledge and understanding, these new features can also create risks.”

Interestingly, next year Rivian plans to take the system to the next level, adding the ability to control not only hands-free, but also without constant driver supervision. This mode, corresponding to the third level of automation (Level 3), will allow you not to monitor the road in certain situations, such as in traffic jams.

However, the technology remains rare due to regulatory restrictions and liability risks. Some experts believe that the transitional nature of this level makes it potentially dangerous, as the driver may lose concentration at a critical moment.

In addition to the autonomous driving system, the company also introduced a new Rally mode for dual-motor vehicles. It is activated in the Off-Road Mode settings and provides sharper throttle response and improved handling on a variety of surfaces, including ice, mud, gravel, and asphalt.

Rivian also offered dual-motor models a $5,000 performance upgrade. The upgrade increases the car’s power to 665 hp and torque to 850 lb-ft, and adds three new driving modes — Sport, Rally, and Soft Sand. Minor improvements include easier wheel size changes, automatic tilting of the side mirrors when parallel parking, and the ability to close the charging port via a mobile app.