Rivian’s latest update lets you record and save drive cam footage, including any ‘incidents’
We are about to see a lot more footage of Rivian EVs getting disrespected by ignorant haters. The American automaker has rolled out a new over-the-air software update that allows additional functions to the Gear Guard App, including 360-degree “Drive Cam” and “Incidents,” which enable Rivian owners to record and save footage of their journeys.
With its two flagship EV models growing in numbers on US roads, Rivian has continued to evolve its technology and offer new features to existing owners using over-the-air (OTA) software updates. In the past, we’ve seen fun features, like the addition of “Camp Mode” for comfort outdoors and “Kneel Mode” to support entry and exit for smaller or disabled passengers and their pets.
Other OTA updates have included range increases, and thanks to recent comments from Rivian head of software, Wassym Bensaid, we’ve learned that customers can expect to see a “big” towing update this summer. At that same time, Bensaid shared that Rivian was working on expanding features in its Gear Guard app, including a new Drive Cam function that would allow recorded footage.
Today, Rivian has rolled out the OTA update that does, in fact, include the ability to record and save drive footage alongside a bunch of other new features.
As explained in a recent blog post by Rivian, its Gear Guard App sees two new functions as part of its latest software update. “Drive Cam” and “Incidents” now join “Motion Cam” and “Alarm Function” as additional security measures to keep you and your EV safe from damage… or, at the very least, liability.
The previous camera functions allowed for coverage of the EV when it was parked, but the new Drive Cam feature allows Rivian owners to now record drive footage and save it to a USB-C storage device. When Drive Cam is enabled and something catches your eye during a given trip, you can now tap the “Save Clip” button on your center display, and Gear Guard will create a video clip of the previous two minutes.
Afterward, you can watch your clips directly from your EV or download them to an external drive. Rivian explained that this feature was designed as more of a nostalgia feature to recall details of a specific drive, like off-road adventures or road trips through stunning landscapes.
For not-so-fun trips, Rivian has introduced an “Incidents” feature that enables automatic drive footage recording to ensure any collisions or other unfortunate circumstances are captured and saved. Per Rivian:
When Incidents is on, Gear Guard cameras continuously record video, but no footage is saved. Incidents constantly monitors vehicle dynamics to identify incidents, and if one occurs, saves video of the event. For example, if you are cut off in traffic and have to slam on the brakes, this near-impact scenario would trigger the anti-lock braking system and, in turn, activate Incidents. The fifteen seconds of video that was recorded prior to the event would be saved, and Incidents would also save video of the following 1 minute 45 seconds. These Incidents videos are saved directly to your R1T or R1S internal hard drive; no USB-C drive is necessary.
In addition to the new drive camera footage features, Rivian has also introduced the following in its latest OTA update:
- Live Chat: Rivian Support advisers are now available through Live Chat 24 hours a day, seven days a week, through the Rivian mobile app, version 1.13 or later.
- Charge Limit Slider: Set a custom charging value between 50 and 100%.
- Charge Scheduling: You can now modify a charging schedule and what specific amperage to use during a scheduled charging session directly from the mobile app.
- Driver+ Improvements: Driver+ cameras continue operating under a wider range of conditions, even when there are smudges or splashes on the windshield or glares on the camera.
- Name your vehicle: From your center console, go to “Settings,” tap “About,” then “Edit.” From your mobile app’s vehicle tab, pull up the dashboard and scroll to “Vehicle Information,” then press “Edit.” You can choose a name up to 32 characters and can use emoji.
- Service Mode: The Service Center may activate this mode to block actions from the mobile app that may interfere while service technicians are working on your vehicle.
The OTA update with drive footage recording is rolling out to Rivian R1T and R1S EVs now.
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Oil prices jump more than 3%, adding to last week’s surge, as Israel strikes Iran energy facilities
Kenworth has announced the addition of Bendix’ Fusion advanced driver assist system (ADAS) to its line of options on the T680 line of Class 8 commercial semi trucks – a lineup that includes the Next Generation T680E battery electric semi truck.
One of the many new trucks revealed at the 2025 ACT Expo in Anaheim, California earlier this year, the Next Generation Kenworth T680E featured the latest advancements in battery-electric technology, an enhanced exterior design, and a suite of new, in-cab technology that extends to the addition of three Bendix Fusion version: ADAS, ADAS PRO, and ADAS PREMIER.
All three of the announced ADAS packages offer updated Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with ACC Stop and Auto Go™, a new Pedestrian Autonomous Emergency Braking (PAEB) feature, and a new High Beam Assist feature to reduce the likelihood of blinding oncoming drivers supported by the addition of a new forward-looking camera.
Those updates are in addition to the ADAS units Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Multi-Lane Autonomous Emergency Braking, Highway Departure Braking (HDB), and Stationary Vehicle Braking (SVB), Lane Departure Warning, and Bendix® Blindspotter® Side Object Detection already available on previous versions of the ADAS-equipped Kenworth.
Kenworth migital mirrors
Now that we’ve got that acronym-loaded word-salad out of the way, we can get to the point: the newest generation of electric trucks is easier and safer to drive – and not just safer for the truck’s operators, but for the people who share the roads with them, too.
Kenworth T680E electric semi
The Next-Generation T680E is available with up to 605 peak hp and 1,850 lb-ft of torque from a PACCAR Integrated ePowertrain fed from a 500 kWh li-ion battery pack good for more than 200 miles of loaded range. The updated Class 8 BEV is rated up to 82,000 lb. gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR), and can get that load back up to speed quickly with a 350 kW peak charge rate that means the T680E can charge up to 90% in just two hours.
That system isn’t just more efficient than the first generation truck, it’s also more serviceable than it was before.
“This move to a fully integrated and ground-up PACCAR design means we were able to design for enhanced serviceability,” explains Joe Adams, Kenworth’s chief engineer. “Providing easier access to the Master Service Disconnects for improved safety and increased uptime and allowing the use of the DAVIE service tool for troubleshooting and diagnostics.”
The Next Generation Kenworth T680E electric semi truck is designed for short and regional-haul, LTL, and drayage operations. It’s available as a day cab as either a tractor or straight truck in a 6×4 axle configuration.
SOURCE | IMAGES: Kenworth; via Kenworth.
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Just like it says on the tin – retailers are advertising killer deals on the fun-to-drive Kia Niro EV, with one midwest auto dealer reporting more than $10,000 off the sticker price of the Niro EV Wind. That’s nearly 25% off the top line price!
SKIP THE STORY: get straight to the deals.
The Kia Niro EV gets overshadowed by its objectively excellent EV6 and EV9 stablemates – both of which are currently available with substantial lease cash and 0% APR financing, in fact – but that doesn’t mean it’s not an excellent little electric runabout in its own right.
The last time I had a Niro EV tester, my kids loved it, I liked that it was quicker and more tossable than I expected it to be, and my wife liked the fact that “it doesn’t look electric. It looks normal.” And, with well over 200 miles of real world range (EPA-rated range is 253 miles), it was more than up to the task of commuting around Chicago and making the trip up to the Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee and back without even needing to look for a charger.
It’s not the primary family hauler I’d choose – but as a second car? As a primary car for a slightly smaller family (1-2 kids, instead of 3-4)? The Kia Niro EV Wind, with a $42,470 MSRP, seems like a solid, “can’t go wrong” sort of choice. You know?
You won’t even have to pay that much, though. Raymond Kia in Antioch, Illinois is advertising a $42,470 Niro EV for $32,431 (that’s $10,039, or about 24% off the MSRP), and several others are advertising prices in the $33,000 range.
And, while we’re at it:
Kia Niro EV gallery
SOURCE | IMAGES: CarsDirect, Edmunds, Raymond Kia.
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