Let Your Voice Be Heard: Express Interest to Rivian for CarPlay, Android Auto and HUD in R1S
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a heads-up display are not currently available in Rivian R1S. There is no hardware for HUD at the moment either. While Rivian has not announced any plans to support these features, customers can contact customer service to express their interest in having them added. It is likely that they have made a business judgement that such an agreement is not worth spending significant dollars on, as Apple requires automakers to pay a hefty royalty to use CarPlay and sign an NDA, pay a licensing fee, pay a royalty per unit, get approval from Apple for software/hardware implementation. Additionally, there may be a fight over who gets the right to sell vehicle location data for marketing purposes.
It is surprising that these features were not designed into the Rivian R1S at conception, especially considering many vehicles costing $30,000 include them as standard. Customers should make sure to voice their opinion if they want CarPlay and SXM radio included in the Rivian R1S. If enough people complain, anything is possible and it could lead to these features being added in the future.
In the meantime, customers can use their own devices to access CarPlay and Android Auto. They will need a compatible device with an appropriate cable or wireless connection. This is not ideal as it requires users to have their phone out while driving, which could be distracting and dangerous.
It is possible that Rivian may add these features in the future if they receive enough customer feedback requesting them. If this happens, it would likely require a software update for existing vehicles rather than hardware changes due to the lack of HUD support at present. It's also possible that Rivian could partner with another company such as Google or Apple in order to provide these features without having to pay hefty royalties themselves - but again this depends on customer demand and whether there are any willing partners available who meet all of Rivian's requirements for safety and security standards etc..
Overall, customers should make sure they express their interest in having CarPlay/Android Auto/HUD added into the R1S so that Rivian knows how much demand there is for these features before making any decisions about adding them into future models or offering updates for current ones.
Will Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a heads-up display be available in Rivian R1S?
Rivian has not announced any plans to support these features. It is possible if enough people complain.
Will the Rivian R1S have an Apple Music app?
There is no hardware currently for a heads-up display, and CarPlay/Android Auto are not on the menu as of now.
Is there any way to get CarPlay/Android Auto/Sirius XM added?
You can contact an agent and ask for them to be added. Rivian may take these lack of features out of Tesla's playbook. You can also call customer service and complain about the lack of features.
Does Rivian have a contract with Amazon that prevents them from adding CarPlay/Android Auto?
It is likely that Rivian made a business judgement that such an agreement is not going to boost Rivian's sales at this time, therefore is not worth spending significant dollars on.
Does Apple charge auto manufacturers to participate in CarPlay?
Several google searches have found no confirmation of that -- in fact, I found several articles saying that Apple did NOT charge auto manufacturers do participate in CarPlay.
What cost does the manufacturer incur when adding CarPlay?
The manufacturer must include the hardware and write the software to support CarPlay, which incurs development resources costs.
Why aren't more companies supporting CarPlay?
Apple has an incentive to license the tech freely, as it furthers their ecosystem and makes customers more sticky. Companies may also be fighting over who gets the right to sell vehicle location data for marketing purposes.
How does CarPlay make money off of creators?
CarPlay is just an interface that allows users to control certain things through the car. It does not make money off of creators directly, but Apple may get paid somehow through licensing fees or royalties per unit.
What other features are available in Rivian R1S?
The Rivian R1S has a range of up to 400 miles, a 0-60 time of 3 seconds, and a towing capacity of 11,000 lbs. It also has an advanced suspension system, air suspension, and an adjustable ride height. Additionally, it has a panoramic sunroof and an integrated sound system.