For 18 months, Rivian and Google engineers worked together. Today they are showing off their work.
Rivian is pushing out software updates that bring a unique version of Google Maps to EVs. This is the latest step in Libian’s ongoing efforts to distinguish the vehicle from software. This is an effort that helped them acquire a joint venture with Volkswagen, one of the world’s largest automakers.
This is not a typical integration of The Google Maps, but rather a distinction from other collaborations by high-tech companies in the automotive sector. For years, Google has integrated Google services directly into the vehicle and has been pushed up to the car through Android Auto and smartphone projection apps called Google Bilding, the Android Auto operating systems used by automakers such as Volvo.
It’s not like that in collaboration with Libian. Instead, Rivian customers using in-car navigation will no longer see mapbox-based maps. Now they will look at Google Maps, but according to Wassym Bensad, Rivian’s software chief, there are many Rivian DNA scattered over the top, including travel planners, user interface and designs, and locations for EV chargers.
“We obviously look closely at customer feedback. I think one area where we’ve had some criticism was navigation,” Benside said. The company may have tried to gradually improve existing in-vehicle navigation. Instead, they started working with Google to launch new products.
Rivian challenge: I didn’t want just the default Google Maps application.
“Google really wanted to embrace a new model of collaboration with more open integration up to the API level of Google Maps, so we had to work with our tech partners on that journey to integrate both solutions. I think we’re really pleased with the outcome of this collaboration.”
The new map features include estimated arrival times, traffic updates, placement information, and satellite images from Google Maps. All of these are integrated into Libian’s navigation system. In-car navigation also includes tap points of interest.
Carrying a Rivian travel planner with you is all important as it presents estimates of the EV range and stop charging choices. Other Libian features are also folded to Google Maps, such as “scope of arrival”, charging stops and preferences, and charging scores from EV manufacturers that give individual charging sites ratings based on Libian cars plugin data.
The new Google-based maps will begin to unfold from today via software updates for Rivian vehicles and its mobile apps.
The updated Rivian mobile app also includes additional travel planning features. Rivian said it added location photos, location descriptions, satellite views (with connection + subscription), and the app’s ability to view traffic incidents and traffic accidents. Users can also continue to share destinations and trips to the vehicle from the Libian mobile app.
