In an exciting development for electric vehicle enthusiasts, Rivian has collaborated with Google to revolutionize the navigation experience in its vehicles. After 18 months of joint efforts between engineers from both companies, they are ready to unveil their innovative work.
Rivian is set to release a software update that integrates a tailored version of Google Maps into its electric vehicles. This initiative is part of Rivian’s broader strategy to enhance its vehicles through advanced software solutions, a move that has also facilitated a partnership with a major automotive manufacturer.
This integration goes beyond the standard Google Maps functionality and differs from Google’s previous automotive collaborations. Traditionally, Google has ventured into the automotive space through its smartphone projection app and an Android Automotive operating system that allows automakers to embed Google services directly into their vehicles.
However, the partnership with Rivian takes a different approach. Customers will notice a shift from the previous Mapbox-based maps to a customized Google Maps experience, enriched with Rivian’s unique features such as a specialized trip planner, user-friendly interface, and real-time EV charging station locations, as explained by Rivian’s software chief.
“We have been attentive to customer feedback, particularly regarding navigation,” said the software chief. Rather than making incremental updates to the existing navigation system, Rivian opted to collaborate with Google to create a completely new navigation product.
Rivian’s goal was clear: they sought more than just the standard Google Maps application.
“Google was eager to adopt a new collaborative model that allowed for deeper integration at the API level for Google Maps. This required a tech partnership to seamlessly merge both solutions, and we are thrilled with the outcome of this collaboration,” he added.
At a recent tech event in Boston, the new mapping feature was showcased, highlighting its capabilities such as estimated arrival times, traffic updates, detailed place information, and satellite imagery—all seamlessly integrated into Rivian’s navigation system. The in-car navigation will also feature interactive points of interest.
Maintaining Rivian’s trip planner is essential, as it provides crucial EV range estimates and assists in selecting charging stops, powered by a well-known route planning tool. Additional features from Rivian, including the ‘range on arrival’ metric, charging stop preferences, and a unique charging score that rates charging stations based on user data, have also been incorporated into the Google Maps experience.
The rollout of the new Google-based maps will commence today through a software update for Rivian vehicles and its mobile application.
The updated mobile app will introduce enhanced trip planning functionalities, including place photos, descriptions, and a satellite view (available with a subscription). Users will also have access to real-time traffic updates and can continue to share their destinations and trips from the app to their vehicles.