For 18 months, Rivian and Google Engineers worked. Today, they show their job.
Rivian pushes an update software that will bring a unique version of Google Maps to its UN. It is the last step in Rivian’s ongoing attempt to distinguish its vehicles with software – an effort that has helped it achieve a consortium with one of the largest automakers in the world, Volkswagen.
This is not a typical integration of Google maps and is in contrast to other technology company collaborations in the automotive industry. For years, Google has pushed Automotive through the Android Auto smartphone viewing app, as well as Google Built-in, an Android Automotive operating system that integrates Google services directly into the vehicle and used by automotives such as Volvo.
Collaboration with Rivian is not either. Instead, Rivian customers who use navigation in the car will no longer see mapbox -based maps. Now, they will see Google Maps, but with many rivian DNA sprinkled on top, including travel developer, user interface and design and EV charger sites, according to Rivian software leader Wassym Bensaid.
“Obviously we are watching customer comments carefully and I think one of the areas where we had some level of criticism was navigation,” Bensaid said. The company could try to gradually improve its existing navigation. Instead, he started working with Google to start a new product.
Rivian’s challenge: didn’t just want the default Google Maps app.
“Google really wanted to embrace a new model of collaboration with a lighter integration to API levels for Google maps and this required to work with a technical partner on this trip to incorporate both solutions and I think we are very pleased with the result of this collaboration,” he said.
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The operation of new maps will include estimated arrival time, traffic updates, installation information and satellite images from Google maps, which are incorporated into the Rivian navigation system. The navigation in the car will also include the points of interest.
The transfer of Rivian’s travel developer is vital, as it presents EV estimates and the charging attitude selection, all that is powered by a better planner. Other features of Rivian such as “Arrival Range”, charging and EV Maker charging ratings, which gives a rating for individual charging locations based on Plug-in data from Rivian vehicles, have also been folded on Google Maps.
New Google -based maps will begin to be released today through a software update on Rivian vehicles and mobile application.
The updated Rivian Mobile app will include additional travel design features as well. Rivian said he added photos, place the descriptions and satellite viewing (with Connect+subscription), as well as the ability to see traffic and traffic incidents in the application. Users can also continue to share destinations and trips from the Rivian mobile app in their vehicle.
