Over-the-air (OTA) software program updates for autos are the long run, and so they permit autos to maintain getting higher over time.
However typically they get far worse—even inoperable, as a current replace pushed out to Rivian’s R1T and R1S launched code that crippled regular use of the autos.
Earlier this week Rivian software program replace 2023.42.0 primarily “bricked” the EVs’ infotainment system, stopping various capabilities.
The autos had been nonetheless basically drivable, albeit with asterisks. After the replace, the infotainment methods of affected autos had been utterly clean/darkish, and a few info within the gauge cluster was additionally affected.
2023 Rivian R1S
Rivian famous to Inexperienced Automobile Experiences that it has compartmentalized safety-critical methods, an strategy that allowed affected autos to maintain working.
“Normally, the remainder of the car methods and the cell app will stay practical,” defined Wassym Bensaid, Rivian’s senior VP of software program improvement.
Rivian emailed prospects on Tuesday night time with subsequent steps, and on Wednesday it launched its resolution that fixes the problem remotely.
Based on Rivian, it ready an OTA treatment for deployment in simply 36 hours. As of Wednesday, prospects affected by the problem ought to have the option, by way of the Rivian app on their smartphones, to put in software program that rolls again the issue code. These not utilizing the Rivian app can contact the Rivian Help Heart and provoke the set up remotely.
The problematic code, a part of an incorrect software program construct, affected round 3% of consumers. The quantity was restricted as a result of inside 90 minutes Rivian recognized the problem and halted the software program’s rollout.
2023 Rivian R1S
The incident serves as a lesson for the auto trade because it turns into more and more centered on OTA updates and the potential for making OTA characteristic upgrades a income driver. Rivian has taken benefit of the vast latitude afforded by software program. Final December, it added an enhanced cold-weather toolkit, together with cabin preconditioning, a snow mode, and smarter energy administration. Extra just lately, it rolled out an replace for the R1T and R1S that improved these vans’ experience and dealing with attributes, and, in a unique replace, launched a “reimagined towing expertise,” together with all-terrain towing.
Earlier within the week, Bensaid posted on the problem on Reddit, blaming a “fats finger the place the unsuitable construct with the unsuitable safety certificates was despatched out.”
2022 Rivian R1T
“From right here, we’re deeply evaluating our course of and high quality checks to forestall this from occurring once more,” stated Bensaid.
Rivian acknowledged that the problem may want bodily restore in some instances.
Clients nonetheless affected by the problem are inspired to succeed in out to Rivian’s service staff at 855-748-4265.