I talked R2 autonomy with Rivian's James Philbin at the media event, from UHF 2.0 and automatic parking to point to point, and walked away thinking the buy now versus wait question has a clearer answer than it used to.
Rivian has pushed the first over-the-air update to R2, the introductory release that brings the vehicle's software up to its launch feature set. The update headlines RivianOS 2.0, a reimagined operating system that unifies Navigation, Media, Energy, and quick controls, along with the Haptic Halo Wheels, Universal Hands-Free across 3.5 million miles of roads, Lane Change on Command, and Google Maps-powered navigation with built-in charging. Rivian Assistant, the Gear Guard suite, vehicle hotspot, and garage door opener are not in this release and are expected in a later OTA.
Rivian has filled the Gear Shop with its first full run of R2 accessories, from two wheel and tire sets and a compact spare to crossbars and a HEST camping mattress. Here is everything that dropped and what each one costs.
Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe just gave the first real timeline for the R3X, confirming the rally-inspired model is coming but still "a couple of years away." Here is what he told The Drive in Park City, and what that phrasing actually narrows down.
The thing that stuck with me on the R2 was not the range or the price. It was the software. RivianOS 2.0 is a full rewrite, and the first thing you notice is how quick it is.
