RivianOS 2 Brings the R2's Interface to Existing R1s

Rivian is rolling its RivianOS 2 interface out to existing R1S and R1T owners through an over-the-air update, bringing the look and feel first introduced on the R2 to the older models. The software arrives as version 2026.31, meaning R1 owners no longer have to trade into a newer vehicle to get the redesigned instrument and infotainment layouts.

The update adds dynamic controls that surface based on what the driver is doing, along with more options for where certain control panes sit on the center screen. Rivian has also reworked how settings are selected, branding the new system Settings 2, with context-based controls and a search function for locating specific settings. In addition, Google Maps now feeds real-time route alerts, delivering official and crowd-sourced warnings for speed cameras and police presence. Owners subscribed to Connect+ also gain a dedicated weather app with real-time conditions and the ability to start, view, and update a trip live from the Rivian app.

Aligning the software across the lineup means future OS improvements will apply to both R1 and R2 vehicles. There are caveats tied to hardware, however, and Rivian now spans three generations: first- and second-generation R1s plus the R2, each running different underlying systems. The R2 and second-gen R1 use Unreal Engine 5 for their visuals, enabling 3-D renderings of the vehicle, whereas the original R1s remain on Unreal Engine 4 to keep the system responsive on older display hardware. The design language and layout stay consistent regardless.

Artificial intelligence figures into the update as well. The original R1S and R1T receive improved cloud-based AI voice assistance, while later models combine connected and offline AI through more powerful onboard computers. Rivian has said separately that the R2's integrated infotainment chip can run the assistant entirely offline.

Interaction methods also diverge. The first R1 products rely on separate thumbwheels and buttons on the steering wheel, whereas the R2 introduced Haptic Halo Wheels, which fold everything into a pair of multifunction scroll wheels that can be pulled, pushed, or tilted for different tasks. As a result, R2 drivers get more input options, but also more to learn. Early adopters seeking the most capable systems may therefore still prefer the R2, though the update remains a meaningful upgrade for R1 owners.