Rivian has been reshaping the automotive industry with its adventure-focused electric vehicles. Its R1T has impressive on-road and off-road capabilities, while its R1S is a luxury family SUV with great all-terrain performance.
While Rivian has yet to roll out a fully self-driving model, it’s paving the way for hands-free driving. Here’s an in-depth look at its EVs’ self-driving capabilities powered by the Rivian Driver+ System.
What Is Rivian’s Self-Driving Driver+ System?
The Rivian Driver+ is a semi-autonomous system that comes standard on the automaker’s vehicles. It’s an SAE Level 2 driver-assistance feature, which means it can simultaneously control speed and steering. However, the driver must be ready to take control at any moment.
Despite the “self-driving” claim often associated with this technology, it doesn’t provide a fully automated experience. Instead, it’s more of a “hands-on, eyes-on” assistance suite, which can reduce driver fatigue and make long highway drives safer.
Driver+ comes standard with Rivian’s first-generation vehicles, including model years 2022 to 2024. These include the R1T pickup truck, one of the fastest e-trucks on the market, and the R1S SUV, which combines luxury and adventure. Vehicles rolling out from model year 2025 onward will come equipped with an upgraded version called the Rivian Autonomy Platform.
The Good: Where Driver+ Excels
Here are the Rivian Driver+ system’s strengths based on real-world tests and reviews:
Smooth and Centered Lane Keeping
Many reviewers praise the Driver+ for its humanlike steering inputs. It doesn’t do the jerky, ping-pong motion between lane lines that affects some less advanced systems. The smoothness helps build driver confidence in the system, making it more pleasant to use for extended periods.
Reliable Speed Control
The system’s adaptive cruise control naturally speeds up and slows down the vehicle based on its surroundings. It’s neither abrupt when braking nor overly aggressive when accelerating. This means the Rivian Driver+ system is effective in handling stop-and-go traffic, which is common in high-traffic areas.
Expansive Highway Network
The Driver+ system relies on a pre-mapped network, which lets it function on most major highways in America and Canada. Rivian integrated Google’s HD map data into its vehicles to enhance the system’s precision, reliability and operational range. The automaker updates the network continuously.
The Bad: System Limitations
The Driver+’s journey to becoming a Rivian self-driving system is still a work in progress. Here are some of the ways it falls short:
No Automatic Lane Changes
While the Driver+ system can ensure the vehicle stays in its lane, it cannot change lanes on its own. The driver must disengage highway assist, manually switch lanes and then re-engage the system. The system is not as capable as GM’s Super Cruise or Tesla’s Autopilot, which can switch lanes without the driver needing to take over.
Highway-Only Operation
The Driver+’s highway assist function is geofenced to certain highways, which means it won’t activate on city streets and rural roads. If the driver’s typical routes don’t include highways, the semi-autonomous system won’t be much use to them.
Dependency on Weather and Road Conditions
The system is sensitive to external conditions. It may disengage, sometimes abruptly, when rain, snow, fog or even direct sun glare obscures its sensors and cameras. Poorly maintained roads with faded lane markings, road patches and skid marks can also cause the system to shut off or keep it from activating.
The Confusing: Hardware and Lidar Debate
Not all aspects of the Driver+ fall into the good and bad categories. Consider the debate about its hardware. Rivian combines cameras, radar and ultrasonic sensors, but doesn’t leverage lidar.
Lidar technology uses lasers to create a precise, 3D map of the vehicle’s surroundings and recognize other cars, pedestrians, road boundaries and other obstructions. Many consider it essential for achieving Level 3 autonomy, yet Rivian has yet to integrate it. However, the automaker has yet to dismiss lidar, so it may be part of future models.
Is Rivian’s Self-Driving Tech Worth It?
The Rivian Driver+ is a top-tier Level 2 system. It only works on certain roads, has no auto lane change and has confusing hardware. However, it serves its purpose well, which is to make driving on highways safer and less stressful. It has a way to go to reach “fully self-driving” status, but it’s on the right track. If you’re looking for an EV with a reliable driver-assist system, the Driver+ is one of the best in its class.