Rivian’s latest software update includes the highly anticipated Rivian Assistant, an AI voice assistant designed to enhance the in-vehicle experience for owners of the R1S and R1T vehicles. The company announced the rollout of this new feature on Tuesday, bringing advanced natural-language capabilities to Rivian’s electric SUVs and trucks.
Initially revealed at Rivian’s Autonomy & AI Day in December, the Rivian Assistant was promised to be integrated into vehicles by early 2026. True to their word, Rivian has now made the feature available to all R1S and R1T owners through an over-the-air software update.
Unlike standard voice command systems found in phone-mirroring setups, the Rivian Assistant is built directly into the vehicle’s hardware and software. This integration allows for seamless communication with all aspects of the vehicle, providing owners with a more intuitive and interactive experience. The assistant utilizes a combination of in-house and external AI models to perform various tasks and respond to commands.
During demonstrations at Rivian’s tech event, the capabilities of the Rivian Assistant were showcased. By simply saying “Hey Rivian” or pressing a button on the steering wheel, users can access a wide range of features and functions. From adjusting drive modes to getting information on points of interest, the assistant can handle complex multi-step commands and provide general knowledge answers akin to popular AI chatbot tools.
One standout feature of the Rivian Assistant is its agentic capability, which allows for seamless connectivity to external services. The first integration announced is with Google Calendar, enabling users to manage appointments, navigate to meetings, and send calendar information via text—all through voice commands while driving.
Rivian also touts the assistant as an “encyclopedia for your vehicle,” offering a convenient way for drivers to access information about their vehicle without the need to dig through manuals. Whether it’s learning how to change a tire or adjusting specific settings, the Rivian Assistant aims to streamline the user experience.
For owners of Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1S and R1T vehicles, the Rivian Assistant is now available as part of the latest software update. The feature will also be included in the upcoming R2 model, set to launch in the coming weeks. However, users must have an active connectivity subscription to take advantage of this advanced AI voice assistant.