Rivian is teaming up with one of the biggest names in science education to make electric vehicles a lot less mysterious for the next generation. The American automaker has announced an exclusive, "multi-phase partnership" with CrunchLabs, the STEM-focused company founded by former NASA engineer and YouTube star Mark Rober.
The collaboration aims to take a deep dive into the engineering that makes Rivian’s vehicles tick. Rober, who reaches over 500 million viewers monthly, will be creating original content that breaks down Rivian’s EV technology, manufacturing, and safety features in his signature high-energy, accessible style.
Engineering for the Next Generation
CrunchLabs has quickly become a household name for families through its subscription-based "Build Boxes" and "Creative Kits." These kits are designed for kids ages 6 to 13+ and encourage them to "think like engineers" by building hands-on projects. For older teens and adults, the company even offers "Hack Packs" that dive into coding and robotics.
By partnering with Rober, Rivian is essentially positioning itself as the "cool" brand for future engineers. Rivian Founder and CEO RJ Scaringe noted that the goal is to show off the creativity behind their products while inspiring young leaders. "As we prepare to introduce new vehicles like R2 we want to peel back the curtain on technology that makes these experiences possible," Scaringe said in the official press release.
Mark Rober echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that the partnership is about helping people see how high-level engineering improves their lives. "Rivian is building technology that deserves to be understood," Rober added.
What to Expect This Year
The partnership officially kicks off at SXSW in Austin on March 13. Scaringe and Rober will host a featured session at Rivian’s "Electric Roadhouse," which will include one of Rober’s famous live scientific demonstrations.
Beyond digital content and creator-produced videos, the collaboration will move into the real world this summer. Rivian plans to host nationwide, family-focused "activations" across its retail spaces. This could be a massive win for Rivian’s brand awareness, especially as it prepares for the highly anticipated launch of the R2 SUV.
A Brand Built on Feedback
Rivian has already shown that it values community input and "real-world" testing. For instance, the company recently revamped its 'Kneel Mode' in the recent 2026.03 update. Those changes were actually inspired by feedback from tech YouTuber Zack Nelson (JerryRigEverything) and his partner Cambry, highlighting how much Rivian pays attention to the tech community.
By making Rivian the "exclusive automotive partner" for CrunchLabs, the brand is securing a long-term connection with a massive, tech-savvy audience. It’s a smart move that turns complex electrical architecture into something a 10-year-old can be excited about — and potentially work on one day.
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Rivian is moving quickly to address a security oversight that has left some owners feeling vulnerable. After a high-profile report of an accidental frunk opening, the company’s software team has confirmed that new safeguards are officially in development to prevent "butt-dialing" your storage space.
The issue gained traction after X user @dictionaryhill shared a stressful experience at the gym. Recently, when coming out of the gym one day, they noticed that their R1T’s frunk was open with their backpack and other belongings simply there for anyone to potentially grab. The situation was particularly risky because the frunk contained an iPad, a wallet, and $1,000 in cash from a recent Facebook Marketplace sale. Despite having proximity unlocking turned off, the front trunk had sat wide open in a public parking lot for several minutes.
When I came out the gym today, I found my Truck with the frunk open and my backup untouched. It had a Rivian Carabiner key attached to it (I have proximity unlocking off) My iPad, Wallet and countless other crap.
After reaching out to the owner, Rivian’s team was able to verify that the command came from a phone widget. According to Rivian, @dictionaryhill’s iPhone sent out a frunk opening command at 11:50 a.m., which the owner said originated from an accidental screen tap. They walked out of their gym and discovered the truck open just seven minutes later.
Accidental taps on smartphone widgets are a common frustration for EV owners. Because these buttons are designed for quick access, they often lack the "Are you sure?" confirmation required for such a significant physical action. Rivian’s Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, joined the conversation to acknowledge the flaw. "We can still do a better job to protect from some of the accidental taps with the iOS widgets. Working on it," Bensaid stated.
Learning from the Competition
Rivian isn't the first company to deal with this. Tesla, for example, has a built-in safeguard that asks for confirmation on the screen if you try to open the frunk while your phone key is not actively connected to the vehicle. This ensures that if you accidentally tap the button from a mile away, the car won't just pop open. However, if you are standing right next to the car, it assumes the intent is real and opens immediately.
Rivian Wave
Rivian is currently on a roll with highly requested software updates, recently confirming a new battery health menu is also on the way. Adding a confirmation step or a "long-press" requirement for the frunk widget would be a simple but effective fix to keep gear safe, while a proximity check before the command is executed would be a more complex but convenient solution. This is especially important as the company prepares to launch the highly anticipated R2, which features a spacious front trunk that will likely be a primary storage spot for many new owners.
While @dictionaryhill was lucky this time, the incident highlights the growing pains of software-defined vehicles. Rivian’s willingness to engage directly with owners and push out fixes over-the-air remains one of its biggest strengths. We expect to see these new "anti-accidental" options arrive in an upcoming update, perhaps in time for the first R2 deliveries later this spring.
Rivian recently published a patent detailing an innovative rear lighting system for its upcoming vehicles. Titled "Lighting Features for a Lift Gate of a Vehicle," the patent was officially published on March 31, 2026. The document reveals exactly how Rivian plans to keep its SUVs highly visible and legally compliant even when driving with the rear hatch wide open.
Always-Visible Lift Gate
The most practical feature outlined in the patent involves secondary light sources hidden within the lift gate assembly. When a driver hauls an oversized load with a standard lift gate in the open position, the traditional taillights mounted on the hatch are often pointed directly at the sky. Rivian solves this by embedding an additional light source along the bottom edge of the lift gate's interior.
When the vehicle's sensors detect that the lift gate is open, the primary exterior light is deactivated. The system then automatically activates the secondary edge-mounted light source. This ensures a light beam is directed straight back toward trailing vehicles rather than up into the air, functioning perfectly as an active taillight and brake light while the hatch is raised.
Built-In Safety Without the Accessory Cost
This patented solution directly addresses a visibility issue that current Rivian owners already face. For example, when R1T owners haul oversized items with the tailgate down, or when they mount large gear like a rooftop tent that obscures the center high-mounted stop lamp, rear visibility drops significantly.
To combat this, Rivian sells a standalone Auxiliary Brake Light accessory for $200. This newly patented lift gate lighting system completely eliminates the need for that expensive add-on. By building the secondary lights directly into the lift gate assembly, Rivian is ensuring that its future vehicles maintain peak visibility straight from the factory.
This inherently improves safety for all road users by guaranteeing that trailing drivers always have a clear, immediate view of the vehicle's braking intentions, regardless of how much gear is packed into the back.
Rivian Wave
Nested Light Signatures
The patent also provides a detailed look at the complex geometry of the rear light bar. The primary taillight is described as having a first end and a second end. Rather than placing turn signals and brake lights in completely separate housings, Rivian surrounds the ends of the main light bar with C-shaped and U-shaped secondary lights.
For example, a dedicated turn signal light completely wraps around the outer edge of the main taillight in a distinctive C-shape. This nested design allows the vehicle to simultaneously illuminate multiple distinct indicators from a highly compact lighting housing.
Aerodynamic Spoiler Integration
Beyond the lift gate itself, the patent details how Rivian is integrating lighting into the upper rear spoiler to maximize aerodynamics. The document outlines a center high-mounted stop lamp that protrudes directly from the spoiler.
However, the spoiler is not mounted flush against the vehicle body. Instead, it defines dedicated spaces between the spoiler structure and the rear of the vehicle. These specific voids allow air to pass cleanly under and through the spoiler assembly while the vehicle is in motion, greatly enhancing the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the SUV.
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