Rivian’s digital debut is officially moving past the rumor stage. After initial leaks earlier this week suggested the electric automaker was headed to Epic Games’ massive ecosystem, we now have a fleshed-out look at the vehicle in-game. While we originally speculated the upcoming R2 would be the star, it is actually the flagship R1S SUV that is preparing to drop into the island.
According to longtime Rivian watcher Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe), the R1S has been spotted within Fortnite’s interface. Screenshots shared by Hilbert showcase a standard white R1S alongside a custom "R.A.D." variant, which stands for Rivian Adventure Department — Rivian’s specialized skunkworks division focused on pushing performance to the absolute limit.
Adventure Approved: The R.A.D. R1S
The in-game Rivian R1S isn't just a static model; it is part of a dedicated "Rivian Series" that includes custom decals and color schemes. The R.A.D. decal features a retro-inspired orange and yellow stripe over a teal body, giving the high-tech SUV a rugged, classic adventure look.
Rivian Wave
The item will be cross-game compatible, meaning if you purchase the R1S in Fortnite, it will automatically become available in your Rocket League garage. Players will be able to drive the SUV in both Battle Royale and Rocket Racing modes. While a leaked shop date mentions it will be available until June 12, 2025, this is almost certainly a placeholder (or someone simply got the year wrong while putting it into the game). All signs point to an official release within the next few weeks.
Expanding the Rivian Digital Lineup
The fact that this is listed as a "Series" in the in-game shop is particularly interesting. It implies that Epic Games and Rivian may have plans to add more vehicles in the future. While the R1S is the current "greatest hits" model for the brand, it would be a missed opportunity not to include the R2 midsize SUV or the rally-inspired R3X eventually.
The R2 is critical for Rivian’s future, with the $57,990 Performance trim set to reach customers later this spring. Introducing its vehicles to the gaming world right as physical R2 deliveries begin would be a massive marketing win, similar to how Tesla brought the Cybertruck into Fortnite to reach younger audiences.
A New Way to Market EVs
Rivian doesn't do traditional TV commercials, so partnering with Fortnite is a high-impact way to embed the brand into pop culture. When a player wins a match or sets a lap record in an R1S, it builds a level of brand affinity that a billboard simply can’t match.
As we wait for the official item shop drop, the R1S is set to become one of the most unique "car bodies" in the game. It’s a smart move that familiarizes millions of potential future buyers with the Rivian nameplate. We’ll be keeping a close eye on the shop for the official price and release date.
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Rivian is preparing to turn its vehicles into "AI-defined" machines with the upcoming launch of its highly anticipated digital helper. A new look at the Rivian Assistant suggests that the wait is almost over, with the software expected to debut just as the company begins rolling out its R2 midsize SUV later this spring.
According to longtime Rivian watcher Chris Hilbert (@Hilbe), the assistant is likely to be a "game changer" for the brand. Hilbert shared a short clip of the assistant in action, showing a sleek UI that fits perfectly into Rivian’s existing operating system. The prevailing theory is that the assistant will hit all Gen 1 and Gen 2 vehicles by the time the first R2 Performance units reach customers in late spring.
I think Rivian Assistant will be available to all vehicles by the time R2 deliveries begin. It has to be soon and is a game changer. pic.twitter.com/EgcRH1thQi
First unveiled at Rivian’s Autonomy & AI Day last December, the Rivian Assistant is far more than just a basic voice command system. Rivian Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid described it as an "agentic framework" that connects your personal digital context — like your Google Calendar — directly into the car’s brain.
During a live demo, Bensaid showed how a driver can simply ask, "What's on my calendar today?" to get a list of events. But it goes deeper than that. The assistant can actually take actions, like moving a meeting to a later time or navigating to a location mentioned in an invite. "The assistant has memory, has context, it remembers the full story, who you're talking to, where you're going, and what you just searched for," Bensaid noted.
Smarter Controls and Messaging
One of the coolest parts of the new assistant is how it handles vehicle settings. Instead of hunting through menus, you can use natural language. For example, if you say, "Can you make the seats toasty for everyone except me?" the car will intelligently warm up every seat besides the driver’s. It also understands context-sensitive commands like "switch to a more efficient drive mode," which triggers Conserve Mode without the driver needing to know the technical name.
Rivian is also finally bringing integrated messaging to its platform. The assistant can read incoming texts, suggest restaurants or shops near your destination based on those messages, and even reply with your current ETA. While the R2 will feature faster hardware to handle these AI tasks locally, Rivian has promised that existing owners won't be left behind.
Timing the Launch with R2
It makes perfect sense for Rivian to debut this software alongside the R2. The R2 is critical for Rivian’s survival, and having a "killer app" like a truly smart AI assistant helps differentiate it from the competition. While Rivian is also working on advanced self-driving tech for 2026, the assistant provides immediate value that owners can use every day.
As the R2 Performance prepares to ship later this spring, followed by the Premium variant later this year and the Standard trims through 2027, the Rivian Assistant will be the "digital face" of the brand. We’re expecting a massive OTA update to hit the fleet soon, finally bridging the gap between a software-defined vehicle and an AI-defined one.
Rivian is officially being recognized as a heavyweight in the world of technology. For the first time, the electric vehicle manufacturer has landed a spot on Fortune’s "America’s Most Innovative Companies" list for 2026. The honor places Rivian alongside some of the biggest names in the world, including Google parent Alphabet, which took the top spot, as well as Apple, Nvidia, and Microsoft.
According to a Rivian press release, the milestone is a "testament to the relentless curiosity and dedication" of the company's teams. Rivian noted that over the past year, they have doubled down on a vertically integrated approach, focusing on everything from foundational self-driving AI models to a streamlined zonal electronics architecture.
A Pivotal Moment for Innovation
This recognition comes at a critical time for the California-based automaker. Rivian is currently in the middle of a make-or-break launch for its R2 midsize SUV. The company is banking on the R2 to finally catapult it toward profitability by the end of this year. Unlike traditional car companies that rely on a massive web of outside suppliers, Rivian builds its own hardware and software in-house, a strategy that Fortune clearly found impressive.
“Innovation at Rivian is about being purposeful, creative and flexible,” the company stated. “This recognition from Fortune reflects our commitment to solving complex problems that make a real-world impact, ensuring that every software update and hardware refinement brings us closer to our mission of keeping the world adventurous forever.” Rivian is even set to license its software and electronic architecture to other automakers, with Audi first in line.
The Road Ahead: R2 and Beyond
The innovation Fortune is celebrating is most visible in the upcoming R2 lineup. Rivian is preparing to send out the first $57,990 R2 Performance units with a special Launch Package later this spring. This will be followed by the R2 Premium and the R2 Standard Long Range. The most anticipated version, the $45,000 R2 Standard, is expected to arrive in late 2027.
By designing the vehicle, the computer platform, and the software stack together, Rivian is creating a product that can improve over time through over-the-air updates. This "software-defined" approach is exactly why they are now standing alongside tech giants like Apple and Google on Fortune's list.
While the EV market has seen its fair share of ups and downs, Rivian’s focus on high-end tech and a unique "adventure" brand identity seems to be paying off in terms of reputation. As the first R2 units start rolling off the production line in just a few months, the company will have to prove that its innovative spirit can translate into mass-market success.
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