Whereas Rivian isn’t engaged on CarPlay help, the EV maker is planning a number of different options that Apple followers will recognize. In a current Q&A session this week, Rivian’s head of software program growth, Wassym Bensaid, revealed that the corporate is actively testing help for permitting Apple Watch to function a key for R1T and R1S automobiles.
Rivian talks Apple Watch integration, Apple Music, and extra
In line with a consumer on the Rivian Boards, Bensaid mentioned in the course of the Q&A session that help for “Apple Watch as a secret’s being actively regarded into/examined” and is on the corporate’s “roadmap” for a future software program replace.
No additional particulars on this function or timeline have been shared. Apple presents its personal Automotive Key function, but it surely’s unclear if Rivian would undertake this or develop its personal customized resolution.
Additionally in the course of the occasion, Bensaid elaborated extra on Rivian’s determination to not help CarPlay. This follows a current interview with Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe, wherein he defined that RIvian’s determination to not use CarPlay is pushed by its want to be the “arbiter or head chef” of the in-car software program expertise.
Bensaid added to this clarification by saying Rivian is working to natively combine a number of the options that CarPlay would supply, together with improved help for notifications and textual content messages. The corporate can also be working to enhance its personal voice assistant, which Bensaid acknowledges is “not the most effective.”
We all know that textual content messaging is actually one of many necessary options and one of many causes of why prospects are lacking CarPlay, we’re engaged on that. I feel these of you who have already got an R1T on an R1S, that our voice assistant at the moment shouldn’t be the most effective. I’m being tremendous clear with you. So we’re working additionally on plenty of modifications and updates there.
So we’re taking it step-by-step. First, enhance the voice assistant expertise as an entire. After which after that, we are going to combine the messaging expertise.
Lastly, Bensaid confirmed that the corporate is engaged on integrating new audio and video streaming providers with its personal infotainment system. This would come with issues like Apple Music and Netflix, although Bensaid stopped wanting saying an excessive amount of on the topic as a result of “it’s firms who’ve very large confidentiality necessities.”
Rivian additionally shared a video on YouTube with components of the Q&A session, although it doesn’t appear to incorporate the complete occasion. You may test that out under.
9to5Mac’s Take
If Rivian goes to proceed resisting CarPlay help, then these are the forms of options it must combine to maintain Apple followers blissful. “Apple Watch as a key” is one thing that may be particularly compelling. It will give Rivian a leg up on different firms like Tesla, which presently doesn’t natively help utilizing Apple Watch as a automotive key.
Hopefully, Rivian is ready to make good on these guarantees. Apple Music help is without doubt one of the most commonly-requested options, and that’s one thing already provided by Tesla.
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