Rivian rolls out an AI voice assistant to its vehicles

In short: Rivian is starting a rollout of its new AI voice assistant to compatible Rivian vehicles through a software update.

What happened

Rivian says its new “Rivian Assistant” is rolling out today to the company’s vehicle fleet. Owners of compatible Gen 1 and Gen 2 Rivian vehicles can get it through a software update.

To use it, drivers need Rivian’s Connect Plus cellular service, or an active trial. Connect Plus costs $15 a month or $150 a year.

The assistant can be turned on by pressing a scroll wheel on the steering wheel, or by saying “Hey Rivian.” Rivian says it can answer questions about the vehicle and also work with certain personal apps after you connect them.

Rivian gave examples like checking camera views, combining travel plans with sunset timing, and answering questions such as whether a river is shallow enough to cross. The company also says the assistant can respond to everyday statements, for example if you say you “need to get cleaned up on the way home,” it can look for a nearby car wash.

Rivian says the assistant can connect with third-party apps like Google Calendar. In a demo described by The Verge, it could read upcoming calendar events and even modify them, like rescheduling a meeting. Rivian says drivers must connect services like Spotify, Apple Music, and Google Calendar for the assistant to use them.

Why it matters

Many drivers already talk to their phones, but Rivian is aiming for voice control that is more tightly connected to the car itself, like a built-in helper that can adjust car settings and handle simple tasks without taking your hands off the wheel. For owners, the biggest practical question is what features are included for free versus what requires the paid Connect Plus subscription.

Source: The Verge AI