Rivian has added a built-in AI assistant to its vehicles through its latest over-the-air software update, giving drivers a hands-free way to control their trucks and SUVs without relying on a connected smartphone.
The update, version 2026.15, delivers the Rivian Assistant to all owners enrolled in a subscription or active trial for Connect+, the company's connectivity services package. According to Ars Technica, the assistant works across both older Gen1 Rivians from model-year 2024 and earlier, and the newer Gen2 models, making it one of the broader AI rollouts in the electric vehicle space.
Drivers can activate the assistant three ways: by pressing a button on the steering wheel, tapping an icon on the infotainment display, or using a voice trigger phrase, either "Hey Rivian" or "OK, Rivian." From there, the assistant can handle a wide range of requests directly tied to the vehicle itself.
Rivian says the AI can "control vehicle settings, climate control, navigation, media, messaging, and calling," and it can also reference the owner's manual, answer general questions, search for information, explain in-car alerts, and help troubleshoot problems. That last capability, walking a driver through a warning light or unexpected notification, is something few vehicle assistants currently offer.
The assistant runs within Rivian's private cloud rather than through a third-party platform, which gives it deeper access to the vehicle's subsystems. Ars Technica noted that this architecture puts it in the same general category as AI assistants from BMW and Mercedes-Benz, rather than the more limited assistant that Google provides to automakers using Android Automotive and Google Automotive Services.
The move comes in part as a response to Rivian's decision not to support phone mirroring through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Without those systems, drivers lose easy access to Siri or Google Assistant hands-free while on the road. The Rivian Assistant is positioned to fill that gap with a tool that is more deeply integrated into the vehicle than either of those options could be.
Rivian has attracted significant attention for its software-first approach to vehicle development. That reputation helped secure a five billion dollar investment from Volkswagen Group, and the company's in-house infotainment system has earned consistent praise from owners. The addition of an onboard AI assistant is the latest step in that ongoing development, with the update already rolling out to the existing owner base.
