Rivian R2 Will Feature a Pet Camera — and It Won't Permit You to Monitor Humans.
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Rivian R2 has launched a new feature called Pet Cam, which employs an RGB camera to oversee pets, activating only when a pet is detected to ensure privacy.
Designed with privacy in mind, Pet Cam remains inactive in the presence of humans, addressing privacy issues and preventing misuse.
Pet Cam integrates seamlessly with Pet Mode, enabling users to monitor their pets via a smartphone app without draining the battery constantly.
The advanced sensor technology includes image recognition and weight sensors to accurately detect pets while maintaining privacy compliance.
In summary, the Rivian R2's Pet Cam provides a pet-friendly monitoring solution with robust privacy protections, complementing the vehicle's existing Pet Mode.
AI-assisted and editor-reviewed.
Several electric vehicles, including Rivians, currently offer Pet Mode, allowing users to keep the climate control on while the car is locked, ensuring pets remain comfortable according to the weather. The next addition is Pet Cam, which does exactly what its name suggests.
The newly launched 2027 Rivian R2—now being delivered to customers—comes equipped with the necessary hardware for this feature. The software to enable Pet Mode, the system currently available in the R1, will be rolled out in about a month, while the software for Pet Cam is expected to launch later this year, as stated by Rivian's Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid.
Bensaid emphasized that the immediate priority was getting the R2 into customers' hands.
The Pet Cam will utilize a new RGB camera concealed in the rearview mirror, which will monitor the cabin. This camera also functions as a driver attention monitoring system when the vehicle is in motion and utilizing Rivian’s Universal Hands-Free driver-assist technology.
Interestingly, the larger and pricier R1 models, which are already available for sale, will not feature Pet Cam at this time. The R1s are equipped with an infrared camera, not an RGB camera, in the rearview mirror for driver attention monitoring, thus they cannot support the Pet Cam feature.
According to Bensaid, users will be able to monitor their pets and check in on them through the Rivian app on their iOS or Android devices.
He explained, “There are extensive controls in place since it's crucial for us to adhere to all privacy regulations. The feature activates solely when a pet is detected. It does not turn on in the presence of a human.”
Bensaid added, “As with everything, we aim to provide configurability to the customer, allowing control over privacy. For instance, the interior camera is off by default, requiring user opt-in. Additionally, Pet Cam will only activate upon detecting a pet, ensuring it doesn’t operate if a human is present.”
Pet Cam is an enhancement to Pet Mode; thus, enabling Pet Mode does not automatically activate Pet Cam. The latter becomes available only when the former is active, and they can be operated somewhat independently. Users can activate Pet Cam to check on their pets while using Pet Mode and then disable it through the smartphone app to save battery life.
Bensaid also highlighted the importance of preventing potential misuse, stating, “It’s imperative for us to safeguard against situations like domestic violence. We want to ensure that if someone is not on good terms with their partner, they don’t have a tool to spy on them. Hence, the Pet Cam will only work when a pet is present.”
This will be achieved through various sensors, including image recognition and weight sensors, alongside an opt-in process that informs users about the camera's functionality. There will also be a visual indicator on the screen whenever the camera is recording inside the vehicle.
In a world where monitoring children and pets has become commonplace, Rivians will now be included in that list, ensuring you can easily check in on your furry friends.
Have information about upcoming products or features? Reach out to us at tips@thedrive.com.
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Rivian R2 Will Feature a Pet Camera — and It Won't Permit You to Monitor Humans.
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