Rivian has officially introduced the Rivian Adventure Department (RAD), a dedicated team of engineers and designers focused on exploring vehicle limits to develop consumer-facing features. The initiative formalizes a skunkworks-style workflow that translates data from extreme racing environments into software updates and hardware refinements. By testing vehicles in high-altitude and desert conditions, the department aims to bridge the gap between competitive performance and everyday utility for its community of owners.
Highlights
- The Rivian Adventure Department (RAD) serves as an internal hub for validating vehicle systems through extreme real-world challenges.
- Data from the Rebelle Rally and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb led to the development of the new RAD Tuner software.
- Gen 2 Quad-Motor owners can now use RAD Tuner to customize torque bias, power output, stability control, and brake regeneration.
- Rivian will debut its official RAD livery and compete with the new Quad R1S at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Montana.
From Competitive Racing to Consumer Features
The foundation of RAD stems from Rivian’s early participation in events like the Long Way Up expedition and the Rebelle Rally. According to Chief Design Officer Jeff Hammoud, the department represents a “living, breathing expression” of the company’s impulse to push boundaries. This approach allows the engineering team to use the real world as a proving ground, ensuring that performance enhancements are vigorously validated before reaching production vehicles.
RAD Tuner and Driving Dynamics
A primary outcome of these efforts is the RAD Tuner, a tool that allows owners of the new Quad-Motor R1 models to adjust vehicle dynamics in real-time. The software includes specific presets derived from racing data:
- Desert Rally: A mode honed from the 2023 Rebelle Rally victory to optimize performance in deep sand and arid terrain.
- Hill Climb: Developed during record-breaking runs at Pikes Peak to manage stability and torque at high altitudes.
Future Milestones in Extreme Environments
Following the production electric truck records set at Pikes Peak in 2023 and 2024, the team is shifting focus to winter performance. RAD will make its official public debut at the 2026 FAT Ice Race in Big Sky, Montana. The event serves as a platform to test the new Quad R1S on snow and ice, continuing the department’s mission to refine vehicle algorithms and mechanical components under high-stress conditions. Owners can learn more about these initiatives at rivian.com.
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