New Details About Rivian's R2/R3 Steering Wheel: Dynamic Clicks & Haptic Feedback

October 3, 2024

By Rivian Wave Staff

Rivian

Rivian’s upcoming vehicles, including the R2 and R3X prototypes, will include a next-generation steering wheel that offers an innovative approach to driver control and feedback. We recently had a chance to chat with Marty L., UI/UX Director at Rivian, who shared exciting details about the new features and functionality of this wheel.

Three Axes of Freedom

The new steering wheel design looks great, with large, mostly exposed scroll wheels at either side of the steering wheel. However, the most interesting part of the wheel is the functionality it introduces. As expected, the steering wheel will have three axes of freedom, similar to the steering wheels in the current R1S/R1T models, but instead of requiring a separate button to navigate left and right, you’ll be able to tilt the scroll wheel left/right.

Tilt Left/Right: The ability to navigate left and right by tilting the scroll wheel
Push In: A push or press feature that can be used to confirm selections or switch modes.
Scroll Up/Down: Scroll up and down with dynamic haptic feedback

These scroll wheels are the cornerstone of changing the most used settings in the vehicle. However, Rivian plans to use them for more than just basic features. You’ll be able to adjust a variety of settings directly from the scroll wheels.

Dynamic Haptic Feedback

The biggest innovation with Rivian’s new steering wheel will be the ability for the wheel to provide dynamic haptic feedback as you’re scrolling. While most scroll wheels have a basic click sensation, Rivian’s will have adaptable feedback that changes depending on the function you’re adjusting:

Volume Control: When adjusting the vehicle’s volume, the haptic feedback (the “clicks”) will be more spaced out, with distinct, widely separated clicks corresponding to each volume level (e.g., 1 through 10).
ADAS Speed Adjustment: For adjusting speed settings, you’ll feel more closely spaced clicks that offer more precise control, giving a tactile sense of small incremental changes.

This feedback ensures drivers get a clear, physical confirmation of each adjustment, making it easier to make changes without taking their eyes off the road.

Rivian

Resistance for Added Control

The new steering wheel is beyond just clicks, Rivian’s scroll wheels will have varying levels of resistance. Marty explained that users will feel a slight resistance when they scroll up or down to change settings. For example, as you’re scrolling up to the next volume level or speed increment, the wheel will offer a subtle resistance before snapping into the next position. This makes the interaction feel natural and intuitive—almost like turning a dial that clicks into place.

Which Models Will Feature This Steering Wheel?

The steering wheel is currently featured in Rivian’s R2 and R3X prototypes, which have been showcased at various events. This innovative wheel will be rolled out to all R2 and R3 models. However, when asked whether the new wheel would make its way to the current R1S and R1T models, he simply responded with a “stay tuned,” hinting that Rivian may have plans to introduce it to its current lineup in the future.

This new steering wheel design is a testament to Rivian’s focus on technology, software, and innovation to produce some of the best EVs. As Rivian continues to redefine what’s possible in vehicle interiors, as they did with Dolby Atmos support, this new steering wheel will likely set the standard for user experience in future designs.

Rivian Matrix Headlights: What They Are and How to Tell If You Have Them [VIDEO]

September 24, 2024

By Karan Singh

Rivian Wave

Rivian has recently added support for matrix headlights in their vehicles, letting the vehicle’s headlights adapt to road environments and keeping high beams on longer without blinding other vehicles.

Matrix headlights are headlights composed of a matrix of LED lights, which can be turned off and on at a software level. This enables a vehicle to instantly adapt the headlight beam to suit the road ahead. This lets the vehicle keep its high beams on for certain parts of the road and darker them or turn them off completely for other regions of the road that may include a person or oncoming vehicle. This drastically increases safety by illuminating the road better for the driver while also reducing bright lights or glare for other vehicles.

Since 2022, the U.S. has allowed manufacturers to include adaptive headlights that adapt to other vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, and road conditions in their vehicles.

Lighting Manufacturer

Matrix Headlights Requirements

In August 2024, Rivian enabled its matrix headlights with software update 2024.27.30. This is only applicable to Rivian Gen 2 vehicles with matrix headlights, model years 2025 and later.

Several vehicle manufacturers include matrix headlights, but manufacturers have only recently started enabling them after NHTSA’s 2022 ruling. In Canada, adaptive headlights have been allowed since 2018.

How to Tell if You Have Matrix Headlights

Rivian’s matrix headlights are available on their Gen 2 vehicles. Sadly, Gen 1 vehicles do not have Matrix headlights installed, even though they look similar. You can tell Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles apart in a few ways.

First enabled Matrix headlights in the US! Quite the accomplishment from @Rivian soooo cool! pic.twitter.com/SltxdbpYqD
— Chris Glazebrook (@aethervisor) August 16, 2024

Gen 2 vehicles are model year 2025 and newer – Gen 1 vehicles are model year 2024 and older – which makes the process straightforward. Other ways to tell the vehicles apart is by opening up either of the front doors and looking at the top of the B-pillar. Gen 1 vehicles have a Rivian logo stamped onto the metal pillar.

Gen 2 vehicles also have a different light bar in front of the vehicle. Instead of being flat from one side of the vehicle to the other, there’s an indentation at the bottom, which allows the vehicle to show its state of charge.

You can also go to the Vehicle Info tab in the vehicle and check the vehicle’s model year.

Matrix Headlights in Action

Take a look at these videos from @murphybre96 and @aethervisor on X to see the new Matrix Headlights in action. Pay attention to how the lit area of the road changes as the vehicle drives along and encounters other vehicles. The transitions are smooth and help prevent blinding other drivers and while also brightening the road for the driver. It’s an amazing system and one of the big additions Rivian added to their Gen 2 vehicles.

The @Rivian R1S matrix headlights are SO cool! They make driving at night so much fun! Watch as the headlights follow my steering patterns. I love driving this car at night! The ambient lighting around the car is so cool as well! Well done Rivian! pic.twitter.com/N5oc0P554Q
— murphybre (@murphybre96) September 11, 2024

Rivian's Cel-Shaded Design and How to View a Subtle 3D Effect

September 20, 2024

By Karan Singh

Rivian Wave

With update 2024.19.04, Rivian introduced a striking visual overhaul to its vehicle software, featuring a completely new cel-shaded design for its vehicles. Moving away from realistic models, Rivian embraced a bold, anime-inspired aesthetic known as cel-shading, offering a fresh and dynamic look.

The cel-shaded 3D models come to life with stunning animations as you switch between drive modes, adding a stylish, artistic flair to the interface. The result is a visually captivating and modern experience.

Vehicle Mode Animations

When you change your vehicle mode, the background artwork and animations adapt to match. While parked, you can even touch the screen with two fingers to move the model slightly, creating a subtle 3D effect.

Each mode has its own unique animations. In Conserve mode, windmills spin in the background, while in Rally and Drift modes, dirt and dust fly up from your Rivian's tires. In Sport mode, you'll notice speed lines near the rear of the vehicle as it races along a virtual track.

You can view the subtle animation with a two-finger drag in the video below:

Time of Day Effects

The time of day also affects the UI, with the moon rising at night and the sun shining during the day, adding an extra layer of immersion.

Rivian has truly nailed this update, delivering a smooth, responsive, and visually impressive experience. It's easily one of the best vehicle UIs available today.