Trending Now - Rivian Launches AI Voice Assistant and Unified Intelligence Platform

WHO:

Rivian - The company launching the AI voice assistant and unified intelligence platform.

WHAT:

Engadget - The Rivian Assistant is now available for all Rivian Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles, as well as on the R2 when it launches.

Electrek - The assistant is activated by saying “Hey Rivian” or holding the left steering wheel button.

Electrek - The assistant is built on a multi-modal AI framework called “Rivian Unified Intelligence,” integrating custom large language models with an orchestration layer.

InsideEVs - The Rivian Assistant is designed to allow owners to interact more naturally with their vehicles, providing capabilities beyond basic voice command tools.

InsideEVs - The assistant can execute complex multi-step commands, such as sending a friend a batch of restaurant recommendations and your ETA from the navigation system.

InsideEVs - The first third-party integration for the assistant is Google Calendar, allowing users to manage their schedules via voice commands.

Electrek - Rivian Assistant is the first consumer-facing product of Rivian's AI push, which was previewed at its AI and Autonomy Day in December 2025.

Electrek - The assistant will be available on the R2 when it begins customer deliveries in the coming weeks, with the new platform delivering 200 sparse TOPS of edge AI compute.

Electrek - Rivian's AI-powered voice assistant is being rolled out to all Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1 owners as part of its latest over-the-air software update.

Electrek - The assistant requires an active Connect+ subscription, which costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year.

Electrek - The assistant will be available on the R2 when it begins customer deliveries in the coming weeks.

Electrek - Rivian Assistant is built on a multi-modal AI framework called “Rivian Unified Intelligence,” integrating custom large language models with an orchestration layer.

Electrek - The assistant features an “agentic framework” that allows it to chain multiple actions together across different services, with the first third-party integration being Google Calendar.

Rivian Stories - The Rivian Assistant can manage your calendar, warm passengers' seats, and send ETA texts without requiring the user to look at the screen.

Rivian Stories - Rivian Assistant provides hands-free utility, context-aware intelligence, smarter navigation and media, voice-powered messaging, and serves as a resident vehicle expert.

Engadget - The AI-powered voice assistant will be available on all Rivian Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles, as well as on the R2 when it launches.

HOW:

Electrek - Rivian Assistant includes privacy controls that allow owners to toggle off the “Hey Rivian” wake word, limit location sharing, and disable the memory feature.

CNET - The assistant provides hands-free utility by allowing users to prep the car or adjust settings on the fly, such as changing drive modes, adjusting ride height, opening the front trunk, adjusting climate, or checking specialized EV features like range-on-arrival estimates.

Rivian Stories - The assistant connects directly to vehicle systems, allowing control over hardware that other assistants cannot reach.

Rivian Stories - The assistant understands natural language and complex context, enabling advanced commands like, "Make everyone's seat toasty except mine."

Rivian Stories - Users can ask for directions, search for points of interest, and inquire about media details.

Rivian Stories - Rivian Assistant can send ETA texts that sound like the user, utilizing AI-assisted messaging to read, summarize, and draft messages.

Rivian Stories - The assistant can answer general knowledge questions, fetch real-time weather, and summarize local news.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 17:41 UTC)

Rivian has just rolled out the Rivian Assistant, which is now available for all Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles, as well as the upcoming R2 model. This innovative assistant can be activated by saying “Hey Rivian” or by holding the left steering wheel button, and it’s built on a sophisticated AI framework called “Rivian Unified Intelligence,” allowing for more natural interactions with the vehicle. Notably, the assistant can handle complex tasks, like sending restaurant recommendations and your estimated time of arrival to a friend, and it will also integrate with Google Calendar for easy schedule management.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 15:53 UTC)

Rivian has unveiled its first consumer-facing product, the Rivian Assistant, as part of its AI initiative, which was previewed during its AI and Autonomy Day in December 2025. This assistant will be available on the R2 when customer deliveries begin in the coming weeks, featuring a new platform that delivers 200 sparse TOPS of edge AI compute. Additionally, Rivian Assistant includes privacy controls that let owners disable the “Hey Rivian” wake word, limit location sharing, and turn off the memory feature.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 07:51 UTC)

Rivian is rolling out its AI-powered voice assistant to all Gen 1 and Gen 2 R1 owners as part of a new over-the-air software update. This assistant requires an active Connect+ subscription, which costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year, and will also be available on the R2 when customer deliveries begin in the coming weeks. Built on a multi-modal AI framework called “Rivian Unified Intelligence,” the assistant features an “agentic framework” that allows it to chain multiple actions together across different services, with Google Calendar being the first third-party integration.

(UPDATED May 13, 2026 01:35 UTC)

Rivian has unveiled its new Rivian Assistant, which can manage your calendar, warm up passengers' seats, and send ETA texts without needing users to look at the screen. This hands-free utility allows drivers to prep the car and adjust settings on the fly, including changing drive modes, adjusting ride height, and even opening the front trunk. Additionally, the assistant can help with climate control and provide specialized electric vehicle features, such as range-on-arrival estimates.

(UPDATED May 12, 2026 23:24 UTC)

Rivian has announced the launch of its AI voice assistant and unified intelligence platform, known as the Rivian Assistant, which will provide hands-free utility and context-aware intelligence for users. This innovative assistant will be available on all Rivian Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles, as well as the upcoming R2, and it connects directly to vehicle systems to control hardware that other assistants cannot access. Users will be able to issue advanced commands, ask for directions, and even send ETA texts that mimic their own voice, making it a truly interactive experience.