Rivian’s engineering teams have been hard at work on the R2 for quite some time now. One of their primary goals - to reduce per-unit cost of the drive units.
The new Maximus drive unit uses some interesting techniques to help reduce costs and build on lessons learned from the R1 Series Enduro units.
Improvements All Around
The first improvement is in the stator windings. The stators are a critical component of an electric motor, and reducing the number of welds inside the stator is a key to reducing overall cost. The new Maximus drive unit uses a new continuous winding technology, reducing the total welds per stator from 264 on the Enduro to just 24 on the Maximus.
Rivian has also worked to consolidate and reduce the number of physical parts in the R2. Their second development on this front is integrating the rotor shaft and the gear into a single forged component, which is CNC milled. Of course, that’s not all - they also reduced the number of bearings.
Overall, that’s a fantastic set of improvements to help reduce the cost - and weight - of the upcoming R2’s new Maximus drive unit. The R2’s launch will be Rivian’s Model 3 moment - it will be the mass-adoptable mid-size vehicle that many are interested in. As such, driving down costs per unit is key.
The new single-piece rotor shaft and gear.
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Coming to R1S & R1T?
The next question is: Will these improvements make their way to the R1S and R1T? It seems likely in the future—but not immediately. These improvements are set to greatly reduce Rivian’s per-vehicle costs, which will also help increase profit margins.
While Rivian did—for the first time—have a profitable quarter in Q4 2024, they’re still teetering on the edge of profitability. Sharing as many parts between the R2 and R1 vehicles makes a lot of sense, and you can bet Rivian will take advantage of that if they can.
Rivian’s focus is on the R2 launch, so it may take some time before they shift attention back to the R1 series and implement these cost-saving improvements. When Rivian finally introduces Gen 2.5 of the R1S and R1T, we may see other improvements taken from the R2 besides this improved drive unit.
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The unveiling of the Rivian R2 gave us an incredible look at its mass-market future. But Rivian didn’t just unveil a new vehicle; they also unveiled an entire suite of accessories designed to lean heavily into the adventure lifestyle.
Chief among them is the highly anticipated Treehouse rooftop tent. While Rivian has previously partnered with third-party companies like Yakima and iKamper for R1 rooftop tents, the Treehouse is a completely bespoke, deeply integrated piece of hardware that essentially makes your future R2 into a luxury camper.
Seamless Connection
The biggest pain point with traditional powered rooftop tents is cable management. You often have to awkwardly route an extension cord down the side of the vehicle, through a cracked window, and into a 12V or 120V outlet to get power up top.
Rivian has solved this problem. The Treehouse is designed to plug directly into the proprietary electrical connections integrated right into the R2’s roof structure. This allows the Treehouse to pull power directly from the R2’s massive battery pack and straight up into the tent - no loose wires or dangling cables involved.
Climate Control & Connectivity
Because the Treehouse has a direct connection to the R2’s battery, it also has a direct connection to a lot of the R2’s functions.
With the Treehouse, you don’t need to bring a tent liner or sleeping bag in the winter. The tent features integrated fan and heating controls, allowing you to dial in the perfect temperature for sleeping or relaxing, whether it's chilly in the mountains or warm in the forest.
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Alongside that, Rivian has included four integrated USB-C ports, two per side, enabling you and your camping partner to get set up and charge your phones, cameras, tablets, and even power a Starlink while you take a break.
Of course, like other high-end rooftop tents, the Treehouse also features integrated lighting, both inside and outside the cabin, so you can easily climb up or find whatever you need during the day or night.
Interior Luxury
Rivian didn’t just stop at power; they designed the entire interior of the tent to feel like you’re still inside a Rivian vehicle. Essentially, they translated their premium interior directly from your cabin to your tent.
That means hard-molded touchpoints throughout the tent, including dedicated trays and cupholders, as well as a mounting system for their optional projector. A screen can be rolled down over one of the side windows, and it can quickly turn your backcountry adventure into a movie night with a few buttons.
Of course, if you’re in the outdoors, what better to do than gaze outdoors? The large glass window panels on the roof and sides give you unobstructed views of the night sky and the terrain around you, while keeping bugs and elements out.
Aerodynamic Hardshell
Efficiency is everything for an EV, especially when you strap a large box to the roof rails. The Treehouse features a sleek, hard-shell exterior that’s designed to minimize drag and preserve as much of the R2’s range as possible while you exit suburbia and make it to your camping destination.
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Will It Be Produced?
Rivian’s accessory team has a history of dreaming big and sadly falling flat. Early R1T reservation holders will painfully remember the original Camp Kitchen and Gear Tunnel Shuttle, which never materialized in their original forms due to cost and manufacturing complexities, or even the removable roof Rivian prototyped for the R1.
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However, the Treehouse might actually make it as-is, because the R2 is specifically designed with those integrated power ports specifically for a powered tent. The fact that the most recent prototypes that reviewers went hands-on with still had the ports means that Rivian is clearly committed to getting this tent to market.
If they can execute and keep the price reasonable, the Treehouse might just become the must-have accessory for the R2.
Rivian owners have long asked for a way to leave their iPhones at home without losing access to their vehicles, and that day has finally arrived. Rivian announced the launch of its official Apple Watch app today, bringing a highly requested suite of remote controls and digital key features directly to your wrist.
The app is designed to be a seamless extension of the Rivian ecosystem. While the automaker famously continues to skip Apple CarPlay in favor of its own software, it is clearly leaning into Apple's hardware integrations. This launch comes at a busy time for the brand, arriving just as the new 2026.03 software update begins rolling out and ahead of the high-stakes R2 SUV unveiling scheduled for next month.
Your Wrist is Now a Digital Key
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The standout feature of the new app is the expanded Digital Key functionality. Rivian first brought Apple Wallet-based digital keys to second-generation (Gen 2) vehicles in December, but the new watch app brings similar power to everyone.
For Gen 1 owners (2021–2024 models), the app acts as a bridge to enable digital key support. By keeping the Rivian app open on the watch, you can lock, unlock, and even start your vehicle without your phone. Gen 2 customers get an even smoother "passive entry" experience, where the car automatically unlocks as you approach using Ultra-Wideband technology — no tapping required.
Customizable Quick Controls
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Rivian understands that a watch app needs to be fast, so they’ve made the interface highly customizable. You can choose up to four "Quick Actions" to live on the main screen of the app. This allows you to lock or unlock the doors, vent the windows, or sound the alarm with a single tap.
Beyond these basics, the app uses the hardware of the Apple Watch in clever ways. For example, you can rotate the Digital Crown to precisely adjust the cabin temperature or set a target state of charge for your battery. It’s a tactile way to interact with your car that feels much more natural than swiping on a phone screen.
Glanceable Vehicle Status
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The integration goes beyond just buttons. Rivian has introduced a dedicated Apple Watch complication that you can add to your favorite watch face. This lets you see your vehicle’s range and battery percentage at a glance, sitting right next to your weather or activity rings.
Inside the app, the design mirrors the iPhone experience perfectly. You’ll see your specific vehicle color and configuration visualized on the screen, and even the "Gear Guard Yeti" makes a guest appearance to let you know your car is being watched.
Looking Forward
This app is launching just as Rivian prepares to start rolling out its 2026.03 OTA update, which is bringing other major improvements like a revamped Kneel Mode and better cold-weather range transparency. Rivian’s Apple Watch app is launching with a host of new features, and the company has confirmed that more functionality is on the way.
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