Rivian 2026.36 Update Brings Pet Cam to R2 and Remote Pet Mode
Rivian's 2026.36 update brings Pet Cam to R2 with a live color feed and lock screen snapshots of your pet. Every R1T and R1S also gets remote Pet Mode controls in the Rivian app.
RivianTrackr
Rivian R2 Removes Backrest Seat Ventilation on Newer VINs [U]
Rivian R2s with VINs around 10,000 and higher are shipping with front seat ventilation in the bottom cushion only, with the backrest fan removed. An R2 technician confirmed the change to me, though Rivian hasn't responded to my request for comment yet.
Rivian Gets $1B Volkswagen Loan, No Payments Until 2028
Rivian closed its $1 billion loan from Volkswagen today at a 6.03% rate fixed for 10 years, with no payment due until October 2028. The loan is backed only by Rivian's half of the joint venture, and Volkswagen has now delivered $5.3 billion of the $5.8 billion it committed.
Rivian Teases Ghostbusters Halloween Update for R1 and R2
Rivian just dropped a Ghostbusters teaser on X, and it lines up with Wassym's promise of an early Halloween update. Here's what the clip shows and what it could mean for R1 and R2 owners.
2026.36 Software Update
Rivian's 2026.36 update for R1 and R2 adds Gmail support for Rivian Assistant, remote Pet Comfort controls in the mobile app, and Electric Era chargers in navigation. R2 owners also get Rivian Assistant for the first time, along with Pet Cam and a programmable liftgate height.
Rivian Care Coverage Guide for R1 and R2 Owners
Rivian Care is now available in 47 states, and Rivian just added new details on who qualifies and how existing owners get in. Here's what both plans cover, the state exclusions to watch, and how the invitation process works.
Rivian Doesn’t Need LiDAR, and Maybe Tesla Was Right All Along [U]
Rivian's LiDAR R2 won't reach customers until 2027, and I'm starting to think it may never matter much. The more camera-based driving improves, the more I wonder if Tesla was right all along.
Rivian Is Replacing My R2 After AC Compressor Issues
Rivian is swapping my R2 Performance Launch Edition for a new one after service found continued issues with my AC compressor that weren't normal. Engineering wanted to use my car to learn more, and I'm working with the team to get into another R2.
Rivian Assistant Coming to R2 in October Software Update
Wassym confirmed today that Rivian Assistant is coming to R2 with the October software update. It joins Pet Cam as the second big R2 feature confirmed for the same release.
Rivian Q3 2026 Deliveries Hit Record 19,248 as R2 Ramps Up
Rivian delivered 19,248 vehicles in Q3 2026 and kept its full-year guidance at 65,000 to 70,000. Its deliveries for the year so far are already within a few hundred of its total for all of 2025.