Physix Frontier · News Briefing Card (IT Home · Oct 2, 2026)

Rivian Rolls Out October Update for R2: Pet Cam and Tailgate Height Control

KEY FACTS

Rivian is rolling out its October in-car software update to the R2, with the version number expected to be 2026.35.
The update adds Pet Cam, a pet camera designed to work with Pet Comfort mode.
After leaving the vehicle, owners can view the interior pet feed through the mobile app and lock screen.
The update lets owners set a maximum opening height for the power tailgate to avoid hitting low garage ceilings.
Rivian plans to launch Teen Mode and Valet Mode in early 2027.

PHYSIX OBSERVATION

Features like Pet Cam may look niche, but they hit the real anxiety of pet-owning users precisely, and they show that automakers' software competition is shifting from driver assistance to scenario-based experience. By continuously adding features through OTA, Rivian is using software stickiness to offset its scale disadvantage. What is worth watching is that it strings Pet Mode, Teen Mode, and Valet Mode into a single permission system, which has more long-term value than any single feature.

Source: IT Home report