Rivian has released software update 2025.46, introducing significant enhancements to its driver-assistance systems and digital infrastructure. This update focuses on expanding hands-free driving availability and providing more granular control over vehicle dynamics. Engineers and fleet operators will find the integration of new sensing visualizations and digital key standards particularly relevant for modern EV management.
Highlights
- Universal Hands-Free: Expands hands-free driving from 135,000 miles to over 3.5 million miles of North American roads.
- Autonomy Drive Styles: Introduces “Mild,” “Medium,” and “Spicy” presets to customize acceleration and lane-change behavior.
- Digital Key Integration: Adopts the Car Connectivity Consortium (CCC) standard for seamless smartphone and smartwatch access.
- Quad-Motor Enhancements: Adds “Kick Turn” and “RAD Tuner” for improved off-road agility and custom torque mapping.
- Interface Updates: Enables customizable Driver Display views, allowing users to toggle between navigation and autonomy visualizations.
Expansion of Autonomous Driving Systems
The cornerstone of the 2025.46 update is the launch of Universal Hands-Free. This feature dramatically increases the operational design domain (ODD) of Rivian’s assisted driving system. It now functions on any road with clearly marked lane lines, though it does not yet respond to traffic signals or stop signs.
To refine the user experience, Rivian introduced Autonomy Drive Styles. These settings allow the vehicle’s end-to-end AI models to emulate different human driving behaviors:
- Mild: Maximizes gap distance and utilizes gradual lane changes.
- Medium: Balances traffic flow management with moderate cut-in responses.
- Spicy: Increases steering speed and maintains tighter following distances.
Digital Key and Vehicle Access Architecture
Rivian is transitioning its vehicle access architecture to the CCC standard. This move ensures long-term compatibility with Apple, Google, and Samsung ecosystems. The new Digital Key allows for passive entry via smartphone or smartwatch, reflecting the hardware-software integration planned for future R2 and R3 platforms.
Hardware-Specific Performance Upgrades
For second-generation Quad-Motor vehicles, the update unlocks advanced mechanical control through software. The Kick Turn feature facilitates tight maneuvers on loose surfaces by independently controlling wheel speed and direction. This allows the vehicle to pivot around its center at speeds below 15 mph.
Additionally, the RAD Tuner provides professional-grade calibration tools. Users can now adjust independent parameters, including:
- Torque balance
- Acceleration curves
- Stability control sensitivity
UX and Visualization Improvements
The Driver Display now offers increased situational awareness. The updated Autonomy View features a wider field of vision to provide better context for rear-quarter maneuvers. Drivers can now use the steering wheel thumbwheel to toggle between this view and full-screen maps, ensuring critical navigation data remains accessible during media adjustments.
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