This Works Beyond The Touchscreen System Fitted In The Vehicle
The program is directly integrated into the Rivian’s infotainment system. Since Alexa already has a wide application in various places, this integration will also allow access to all standard Alexa features and capabilities, including playing music, getting directions, placing calls, turning on the air conditioner, and so on. The best part about this integration is that some features will be accessible even when the vehicle is offline. What’s more, you will also be able to control the functions of your house if you have Alexa at home, such as turning off the lights you forgot before leaving, or check out the rearview camera footage of your vehicle on your TV, and many such functions. How’s that for convenience?
Google Assistant Lost Her Voice
This news comes after Alexa made its way into the Lamborghini Huracán EVO. Lamborghini is not the first VAG member to use Alexa. Audi, Seat, and Volkswagen are already using the software in their cars. Amazon has a long history with Rivian that extends past the 100,000 delivery van order. In February 2019, Amazon infused $700 million in Rivian, whereas Ford invested $500 million. In total, Rivian raised $2.85 billion in 2019.
What They Had To Say
Rivian’s founder, RJ Scaringe, said that ’Rivian’s vision is to enable exploration without compromises and provide our owners the best digital experience, no matter where their adventure takes them. We want this to be the most comprehensive, most seamless Alexa integration in the market.’
’We’ve continued to be impressed by the entire team at Rivian, and we’re excited to be working together on this upcoming integration. By leveraging the newest version of the Alexa Auto SDK, Rivian is able to make Alexa a natural part of the driving experience and provide customers with continuous access to key car control features – even in remote locations where reception is poor or nonexistent,’ added Alexa Auto’s Vice President, Ned Curic.
What We Know About The R1T Until Now
Both the vehicles share the same powertrain, but a lot of emphasis has been on the R1T pickup truck lately. Here’s what we know about the truck already:
- Rivian is marketing the R1T as an off-road, lifestyle adventure pickup, and is targeting it as a family camper
- It has a Tank Turn feature
- 12.3-inch instrument cluster
- A 15.6-inch touchscreen system on the dashboard
- Amazon Alexa integration
- Level 3 autonomy (which could become Level 5 depending on how Rivian proceeds with its new project)
- The R1T churns out 788 ponies that make it sprint to the 60 mph mark in three seconds flat
- Four electric motors – one connected to each wheel – make 197 horsepower each
- The R1T will be offered with three battery pack options: 105 kWh, 135 kWh, and 180 kWh
- The R1T will offer up to 400 miles of range
- 0-60 mph achieved in 4.9 seconds with the smallest battery pack and in 3.2 seconds with the largest battery pack
- Adjustable air suspension that can raise the R1T from 7.9 inches to 14.2 inches by the press of a button.
Final Thoughts
If you ever thought about it, this was inevitable. Rivian is majorly funded by Amazon and Ford, so Alexa being the primary candidate was unquestionable. With Alexa giving competition to Google as a voice command assistant, there might be other automakers lined up to use Alexa in their own cars. ’Alexa, is Sundar Pichai banging his head after reading about this?’
Do you think Amazon Alexa will become as important as Android Auto and Apple CarPlay in all the car segments? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.