Rivian's New Software Update Seeks To Address Vampire Drain Range Loss

EV maker Rivian Automotive Inc RIVN has introduced a new software update aimed at improving range loss by over 25%.

With the new software update, Rivian seeks to improve range loss by over 25% in both its R1S and R1T vehicles when they are in sleep mode at home and the gear guard is set to off or disabled.

Rivian customers have previously raised concerns about their batteries draining when the vehicles are left idle, a phenomenon known as vampire or phantom drain. 

Optimizing the power drain is a key priority for Rivian, said Mina Jafari, who leads the team responsible for optimizing the issue at Rivian, in an Instagram Q&A published in April. The company aims to minimize the impact of vampire drain on user experience and ensure reliability when the vehicle is awakened by shutting down the components that have the greatest impact on power drain, they added.

Other Changes: Other improvements in the new update include the option to use the multi-functional thumb controls on the left side of the steering wheel to mute the microphone, swap between calls or even hold the current one to accept another. Further, drivers will now have a better driving experience with reduced abruptness when driving over sharp road impacts and reduced harshness when driving over bumps and dips.

Photo by Tada Images on Shutterstock

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