HERE'S WHY RIVIAN IS DELIVERING $70,000 EVS WITHOUT A VERY COMMON FEATURE

Rivian has been making waves in the automotive world with its latest announcement of the R2 and R3. However, the newest reason Rivian is popping up is for not offering a convenient feature many have become accustomed to. While not the first automaker to make this decision, Rivian's strategy is part of a broader effort to maintain a consistent experience across all its models. By keeping control of this process in-house, Rivian is able to tailor the driver experience even better.

RJ Scaringe, Rivian’s CEO, has been vocal about the rationale behind this decision. Scaringe pointed out that integrating this feature would disrupt the design language, leading to a disjointed feeling for the occupants. By focusing on the efforts in house, Rivian can innovate the experience directly. The commitment to a singular, cohesive design throughout each vehicle really showcases Rivian's bold strategies. But, even with this design to exclude a common comfort for many drivers, the CEO is not backing down.

Rivian Does Not Offer CarPlay In Hopes Of Consistency

Rivian has made a bold decision by not integrating Apple CarPlay into its vehicles. Although they are not the first automaker to do so, they are catching a fair bit of flack from the automotive community. The move is part of a larger strategy aimed at maintaining a consistent digital experience across all Rivian models. By keeping control of the infotainment system in-house, Rivian is able to make sure that every interaction a driver has with the vehicle's digital interface is uniquely branded and designed by its team. This approach allows Rivian to fully curate the user experience, from the layout of the touchscreen to the features available to drivers.

RJ Scaringe Takes A Hard Stance On Not Offering CarPlay

RJ Scaringe, Rivian's CEO, explained his reasoning behind this decision on the Decoder podcast. He emphasized “We have a great relationship with Apple. As much as I love their products, there’s a reason that ironically is very consistent with Apple ethos for us to want to control the ecosystem. (CarPlay) isn’t consistent with how we think about really creating a pure product experience.” Even with the recent addition of apps like YouTube and Apple Music, CarPlay software is still unseen on a Rivian dashboard.

Scaringe's decision not to offer CarPlay, despite its popularity among consumers, reflects a growing trend among automakers. The latest version of CarPlay offers more control over the infotainment and dashboard displays, similar to Android Automotive. However, the increased control from Apple would undermine Rivian's ability to create a unique and unified digital experience for its customers.

Rivian Aims At One Interface For All Users

Rivian's primary objective is to deliver a seamless and consistent digital experience across all its vehicles. By developing and managing its own software, Rivian maintains complete control over the user interface, allowing it to be perfectly tailored to whatever specifications it wants. This strategy not only works to reinforce Rivian's brand but also results in a more cohesive and intuitive user experience.

Scaringe pointed out that using CarPlay often requires multiple tap-throughs, forcing drivers to navigate both Apple and Rivian software. The split attention means CarPlay cannot fully leverage other parts of the vehicle experience, leading to a disjointed user interface. Instead, Rivian focuses on innovating and enhancing its own software, ensuring that every update and new feature aligns with the design language. The commitment to a singular, cohesive interface is not unseen throughout the automotive world.

Rivian Isn't The Only Brand Without Apple CarPlay

Rivian isn't alone in excluding Apple CarPlay from its vehicles. The move is part of a broader trend where automakers are prioritizing control over their in-car digital ecosystems. By developing their own systems, companies like Rivian can create a seamless, brand-specific user experience. Other manufacturers like General Motors and Mercedes-Benz have also recognized the benefits of maintaining a consistent digital environment to enhance the overall driving experience. A mainstay in the EV market, Tesla has never offered CarPlay or AndroidAuto integration.

However, not everyone is thrilled with the shift away from CarPlay. The idea of better built-in software that handles basic phone functions via Bluetooth sounds great—if done right. But if automakers botch it, we could end up with more frustrating software issues. The key is whether the automakers can deliver a system that truly integrates smoothly with the top apps and not have any problems.

General Motors Axed CarPlay In 2023

In 2023, General Motors made a significant decision to remove Apple CarPlay from its new models, a move that stirred considerable debate among consumers and industry experts. The change was driven by GM's desire to develop its own proprietary infotainment systems, which would allow for deeper integration with the vehicle's hardware. By taking control of the software, GM will be able to offer a more seamless and integrated experience that aligns with its vision, much like what Rivian is now doing.

Tesla Has Never Offered Apple CarPlay Or Android Auto

Tesla has always taken a different route when it comes to in-car digital interfaces, choosing not to offer Apple CarPlay or Android Auto in its vehicles. From the beginning, Tesla has focused on developing a proprietary infotainment system designed to deliver a unique and integrated user experience. This approach was innovative and has allowed Tesla to improve rapidly, creating a highly responsive and feature-rich interface that is tailored specifically to its EVs. Despite the popularity of CarPlay and Android Auto, Tesla's proprietary system has set a high standard for what an in-car digital interface can be.

Android-based Infotainment Software Holds The Market

The market for in-car infotainment software is currently dominated by Android-based systems. Android Automotive, Google's open-source operating system, has become the go-to choice for many automakers. Unlike Android Auto, which mirrors your smartphone on the car's display, Android Automotive is a standalone system integrated directly into the vehicle's hardware. The software allows manufacturers to customize the interface and features to match their brand's aesthetic and functionality. Since its launch in 2017, Android Automotive has captured an impressive 35-percent of the market according to Bloomberg, outpacing other proprietary systems developed by car manufacturers.

Android Automotive Is Google's Open-Source Software

Android Automotive is like the Windows of the car world, but specifically designed for vehicles. It is Google's open-source operating system that offers a unified infotainment and in-car software experience. The software allows automakers to customize to match their brand while still benefiting from Google's core features and regular updates. The open-source nature allows manufacturers to adapt the system to their needs, creating a reliable and flexible foundation. The ease of use has led to its integration into a wide range of vehicles, from luxury models like Porsche to everyday brands like Ford and Volkswagen.

Apple Ditched Its EV Plans To Focus On CarPlay

Apple's venture into the automotive world took an interesting turn when it decided to shift focus from developing its own electric vehicle to enhancing CarPlay and developing CarPlay 2. Originally, Apple had ambitious plans to enter the EV market, but the brand decided that refining the in-car experience through CarPlay was a more strategic move.

By concentrating on CarPlay, Apple aims to transform the in-car experience, making it as intuitive and integrated as its other products. The latest generation of CarPlay is designed to take over all the screens in a vehicle, from the infotainment display to the instrument cluster, providing a unified and familiar interface for users. Clearly, some automakers have been hesitant to fully embrace this level of integration, spelling trouble for the future of CarPlay.

Google Partners With Automakers For More Integration

Google's strategy with Android Automotive involves close partnerships with automakers to ensure deep integration and seamless functionality. By working directly with manufacturers, Google can tailor the Android Automotive platform to meet the specific needs and standards of each brand. These partnerships have allowed Android Automotive to flourish, offering advanced features and continuous updates that keep the software at the cutting edge. Automakers like GM, Ford, and Volkswagen have all leveraged this partnership to provide their customers with a top-tier infotainment experience. The success of Android Automotive truly shows the value of combining Google's technological expertise with the automotive industry's knowledge and requirements.

2024-08-08T03:09:31Z dg43tfdfdgfd