With more and more information beginning to slowly trickle out about what the R2 will be packing, we’ve finally got the details on the R2’s next-gen infotainment chipset. Just like the Gen 2 R1 series vehicles, the R2’s chipset will also be responsible for all the AI capabilities - which includes addressing Rivian’s autonomy ambitions.
Infotainment on Gen 1 and Gen 2
Rivian’s Gen 1 processor had three ECUs on board and was relatively capable—but hamstrung in its own ways. It couldn’t process high-resolution imagery and was only as capable as the Mobileye EyeQ4 that was on board. Many users also noted the distinct lag that occasionally happened in the infotainment, especially when rapidly scrolling the map with the satellite view mode.
Gen 2, on the other hand, consolidates those three original ECUs down to one and packs 3.3x the neural processing power on board—alongside 4K image processing. That, along with an effective, smooth, and precise infotainment system, made Gen 2’s XMM2 infotainment chipset a highlight. Now, the R2’s infotainment unit is going to take it to another level.
More Power, More Compact
The R2 and the R3 will feature the XMM3 chipset, which consolidates chips—including memory and power chips—at a 4:1 ratio. This unit will also have 2.4x the compute power of the current Gen 2 XMM2 unit.
This sparks a pretty interesting question—what about Autonomy? Rivian has said they’ve gained a renewed interest in addressing vehicle autonomy. Rivian plans to launch “eyes-off” highway autonomy in 2026 and hands-free highway assist will launch on the Gen 2 in just a couple of weeks with software update 2025.06.
That begs the question, will Rivian require the XMM3 chipset for future autonomy goals such as eyes-off or future Platform+ features?
What About R1S & R1T?
Just like the improvements to the drive units that are coming to the R2, these infotainment improvements will likely eventually make their way over to R1S and R1T as well. Given that Rivian just recently finished retooling their production lines for R1 Gen 2 vehicles, we’d expect them to arrive after the launch of the R2.
With that said, Gen 2.5 or Gen 3, whichever Rivian decides to call it, it’s likely still a couple of years away, but expect it to take advantage of a lot of newer R2 components.
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Rivian’s engineering teams have been hard at work on the R2 for quite some time now. One of their primary goals - to reduce per-unit cost of the drive units.
The new Maximus drive unit uses some interesting techniques to help reduce costs and build on lessons learned from the R1 Series Enduro units.
Improvements All Around
The first improvement is in the stator windings. The stators are a critical component of an electric motor, and reducing the number of welds inside the stator is a key to reducing overall cost. The new Maximus drive unit uses a new continuous winding technology, reducing the total welds per stator from 264 on the Enduro to just 24 on the Maximus.
Rivian has also worked to consolidate and reduce the number of physical parts in the R2. Their second development on this front is integrating the rotor shaft and the gear into a single forged component, which is CNC milled. Of course, that’s not all - they also reduced the number of bearings.
Overall, that’s a fantastic set of improvements to help reduce the cost - and weight - of the upcoming R2’s new Maximus drive unit. The R2’s launch will be Rivian’s Model 3 moment - it will be the mass-adoptable mid-size vehicle that many are interested in. As such, driving down costs per unit is key.
The new single-piece rotor shaft and gear.
Rivian Wave
Coming to R1S & R1T?
The next question is: Will these improvements make their way to the R1S and R1T? It seems likely in the future—but not immediately. These improvements are set to greatly reduce Rivian’s per-vehicle costs, which will also help increase profit margins.
While Rivian did—for the first time—have a profitable quarter in Q4 2024, they’re still teetering on the edge of profitability. Sharing as many parts between the R2 and R1 vehicles makes a lot of sense, and you can bet Rivian will take advantage of that if they can.
Rivian’s focus is on the R2 launch, so it may take some time before they shift attention back to the R1 series and implement these cost-saving improvements. When Rivian finally introduces Gen 2.5 of the R1S and R1T, we may see other improvements taken from the R2 besides this improved drive unit.
Rivian’s iconic Gear Guard Gary, is more than just a playful mascot – he’s there to keep a watchful eye over your Rivian and the stuff inside. Born from the desire to combine security with a sense of fun, Gear Guard Gary (GGG) has become a symbol of Rivian’s security feature — Gear Guard.
Gary is a lovable and friendly Yeti decked out in a headband, puffy jacket, and boots. When Gear Guard is active on your Rivian, you’ll see his friendly face pop up on the main screen, letting you know he’s keeping a vigilant eye over your vehicle.
For Quad-Max models, Gary makes an even bigger statement. He’s featured as a badge on the rear of the tailgate, proudly marking your vehicle as a flagship model.
But how did Gary come to life? Was he a spontaneous idea, or does he have a deeper backstory? Grab your gear and join us as we venture into the origins of this lovable Yeti.
Rivian Wave
The Creator of Gear Guard Gary
Foster Huntington is the artist behind Gary, who created the character specifically for Rivian. Foster is a photographer and filmmaker and is currently working on a children’s cartoon that is similar in style to Gear Guard Gary. While Gary hasn’t made an appearance in any episodes yet, his character aligns with Huntington’s ongoing projects, and one of his popular series, Carl the Collector, is currently airing on PBS Kids in both the United States and Canada.
Gary also stars in his own adorable stop-motion film, which premiered at the South Coast Theatre in Laguna Beach. Rivian restored this historic California venue, transforming it into a space for independent films, art workshops, and beach excursions.
The stop-motion film itself is a delightful story. It features an R1T stopping at a small gas station and cafe, where the driver and passenger step out to grab some supplies for the road. With Gear Guard active, he secures his gear in the truck bed using the Gear Guard Security Cable.
The plot takes a turn when a masked robber shows up, only for Gary to greet him with a hug and a friendly wave. When the driver and passenger return, everything is just as they left it, and their adventure continues without a hitch.
Gary’s charm and friendly demeanor shine through as he’s portrayed as a happy companion, always keeping your belongings safe while enjoying the adventure right alongside you.
Gary’s Origin
Rivian’s focus on user experience is where Gary, the lovable Gear Guard character, was born. While Rivian officially refers to him simply as “Gear Guard,” the Rivian community has affectionately named him Gary and the name has stuck.
Gary came into being as part of the playful and fun nature of the Gear Guard system. Initially, Rivian wasn’t sure what form he would take — whether he would be an amorphous blob, have horns, or stretch out with long arms.
Ultimately, Gary represents the unique qualities of the Gear Guard system. He’s smart, non-aggressive, and provides a sense of deterrence. The system is designed to protect both your Rivian and your belongings, all while staying true to Rivian’s adventurous spirit. When Gear Guard is active, Gary appears on the screen, monitoring the surroundings with his camera. When it’s off, he takes a little nap on the screen instead.
Gary’s main purpose is to bring a smile to people’s faces, especially kids. Rivian’s goal is to offer peace of mind — allowing people to enjoy nature and their adventures without worrying about their gear back in the truck.
Gear Guard Gary Easter Egg
If you lock the rear screen in the vehicle, Gary can be summoned by simply tapping on the screen. It’s a simple easter egg, but it’s worth seeing. He’s friendly, cute, and happy to entertain little ones on the rear screen while the screen is off-limits.
Gary Plush
If you’re craving even more Gear Guard Gary, Rivian has you covered with an adorable plush. These plushies are quite popular and often sell out, so be sure to snag one before they’re gone.
The plushie measures about 14” in length and 8” in width with his arms by his sides. He’s dressed in his signature outfit, complete with a headband, jacket, shorts, and boots. While the shorts are removable, the jacket is stitched in place but can be easily removed by undoing the stitching. The headband and boots are not removable.
Rivian has paid close attention to detail, even adding the Rivian logo on the chest of his red fall jacket.
The Gary Plush is well designed and super tough! Maybe not dog-chew-toy-tough, but tough enough for your kids.
