Rivian Assistant Hands-On Video Review in 2026.15
Rivian 2026.15 is rolling out with the new Rivian Assistant as the headline feature. Here's my hands-on video review covering how it works, what it can do, and where it lands in the real world.
Software
What’s Coming in Rivian 2026.15 Including Rivian Assistant
The upcoming 2026.15 software update brings Rivian Assistant, the new AI voice assistant, as the headline feature, alongside Profile PIN authentication and a handful of Gen 2 refinements. Here's what to expect when it lands.
ABRP Relaunches With Fresh Design and New EV Tools
A Better Route Planner relaunched its website this week with a fresh look and a new EV Comparison tool that lets you stack up to three EVs side by side. Rivian acquired ABRP back in June 2023, and the platform keeps getting better.
Rivian Is Adding Battery Pack Health Visibility via OTA
Rivian is adding a dedicated battery health screen via OTA, giving owners a direct look at state of health, max potential charge rate, and current charge rate, all from the About screen in vehicle settings, no service appointment needed.
What’s Coming In Rivian Software 2026.07
Rivian's 2026.07 brings a handful of useful changes for R1T and R1S owners. The highlight: Rear Defrost now automatically activates the front wiper heating element too. Apple Music gets Dolby Audio support and a new Streaming Quality setting to reduce buffering. Gen 2 owners also get a fix for inconsistent range estimates and reduced highway steering wheel vibrations.
Rivian Pilots Digital Key Program for Loaner Vehicles at Select Service Centers
Rivian is piloting a new digital key program at select U.S. service centers that lets owners use their phone as a key on loaner vehicles through the Rivian mobile app, replacing the key card-only experience.
Video – Rivian R2 Software, Audio, and More with Wassym!
I join Wassym in the brand new Rivian R2 to discuss and showcase the upcoming software including refreshed UI that will be…
Rivian 2026.03 Hands-On Review, Dual Motor Apple Watch and Winter Improvements
Rivian’s 2026.03 software update is here and it’s a big one. In this video I break down the Dual-Motor updates, improvements to…
R2 UI Preview Shows Rivian’s Next Gen Design
InsideEVs’ first hands on with R2 reveals a major UI refresh for Rivian, featuring floating modal windows, a new Liquid Glass style dock, movable media panels, a redesigned Music app, and even steering wheel climate controls. It’s a cleaner, bolder interface that hints at what’s coming next for both R2 and R1.
Why Unreal Engine Powers Rivian’s UI
Rivian’s 2026.03 update upgrades the R1 platform to Unreal Engine 5.5, and no, it’s not about gaming. It’s about smoother visuals, faster UI performance, and a more immersive digital cockpit that can scale across Gen 1, Gen 2, and future R2 vehicles. Here’s why this matters more than most people think.