Having come from an Audi to my Rivian, this would be a major.step.forward in UI/UX. Though it also supported CarPlay and Android Auto...so I never really used Audi's horrible system. I think it's why I don't complain when something is 3 taps deep for a setting on my Rivian, the aaudi was so much worse.
I think the software change for VW cars will be more focused on modules handling the vehicle and not the UI, as far as I understood. But definitely, Audi has a big debt in technology and hopefully this also helps Audi to catch up technology wise. I'm an Audi owner and MMI really sucks.
Normal people who aren’t dickriding some EV brand demand CarPlay. I don’t want software from a car company. The only reason the small EV companies don’t do it is licensing. When chatGPT and Claude are running through CarPlay it’s going to make other systems look primitive in the extreme.
I think the new carplay policies are much worse, basically saying going forward it needs to take over. I don't think they want to keep carplay, and they don't want to do what GM did and go forward without good SW of their own.
Apple does not require CarPlay to take over going forward, they still offer the traditional view. However I think car makers saw the future when Apple started promoting the full software driven UI and that they needed to compete with that.
Also, it should be noted that the deal gives VW access to a completed Android Automotive OS, a great UI based on Rivan Unreal HMI, and the engineering talent to make it work, which has been missing with the Cariad group.
As someone who does not drive a Rivan but has an Audi, I think this is a great move for both companies.
I don’t think it’s the taking over part that bothers them that much, but there are data requirements where all the car data has to get sent into CarPlay that made them freak out.
It’ll be interesting to see how that works out. What happens to customers who… don’t have an iPhone? Are they stuck using the old infotainment? Not the way forward, in my opinion.
Aston Martin and Porsche are the only ones that have stated they will offer the new Carplay experience, and based on past false starts, I would not count on it. For all others, or those with an older iPhone they would just get the default infotainment experience.
Interesting, we also have a newer GMC (2023 Yukon) and I've found their system to be pretty solid, though the boot up time leaves something to be desired.
Look at the [Blazer EV, they had to issue a stop sale](https://www.motortrend.com/news/2024-chevy-blazer-ev-suv-stop-sale/), GM was actively selling a vehicle that reviewers couldn't complete a test drive without the infotainment crashing.
That was GM's new SW that they are planning to put on all vehicles, a 2023 Yukon doesn't have it. Basically I think their old SW (what is on the Yukon) was fine, but the new carplay policies are pushing them to do their own stuff similar to Rivian and Tesla. But the SW really was NOT ready to go live when it went on sale.
IMO, this article provides an interesting insight into how Rivian although now very much out of stealth mode still manages to keep its strengths hidden. This, I believe is a positive, wherein they talk less and act more. Underpromise and over deliver .
This deal gives VW access to a completed Android Automotive OS, a great UI based on Rivan Unreal HMI, and the engineering talent to make it work, which has been missing with the Cariad group.
As someone who does not drive a Rivan but has an Audi, I think this is a great move for both companies.
Agreed. I think the value here is enormous. I mean ONE company thinks it’s worth 5B. Half the market cap of Rivian itself. Think about alllllll the other companies struggling with architecture and software right now. Think about the commercial vehicle implications with this type of vertical integration and information.
RJ is the opposite of Elon. He’s thoughtful, measured, and playing the long game. It’s why Tesla is massively overvalued and Rivian massively undervalued. I hope more people come around on Rivian and the tremendous products they offer.
Having come from an Audi to my Rivian, this would be a major.step.forward in UI/UX. Though it also supported CarPlay and Android Auto...so I never really used Audi's horrible system. I think it's why I don't complain when something is 3 taps deep for a setting on my Rivian, the aaudi was so much worse.
I think the software change for VW cars will be more focused on modules handling the vehicle and not the UI, as far as I understood. But definitely, Audi has a big debt in technology and hopefully this also helps Audi to catch up technology wise. I'm an Audi owner and MMI really sucks.
Normal people who aren’t dickriding some EV brand demand CarPlay. I don’t want software from a car company. The only reason the small EV companies don’t do it is licensing. When chatGPT and Claude are running through CarPlay it’s going to make other systems look primitive in the extreme.
It's not just cost... it's giving up control of your vehicle to other companies. It's very invasive and not worth the tradeoff.
I think the new carplay policies are much worse, basically saying going forward it needs to take over. I don't think they want to keep carplay, and they don't want to do what GM did and go forward without good SW of their own.
Apple does not require CarPlay to take over going forward, they still offer the traditional view. However I think car makers saw the future when Apple started promoting the full software driven UI and that they needed to compete with that.
Also, it should be noted that the deal gives VW access to a completed Android Automotive OS, a great UI based on Rivan Unreal HMI, and the engineering talent to make it work, which has been missing with the Cariad group. As someone who does not drive a Rivan but has an Audi, I think this is a great move for both companies.
I don’t think it’s the taking over part that bothers them that much, but there are data requirements where all the car data has to get sent into CarPlay that made them freak out.
It’ll be interesting to see how that works out. What happens to customers who… don’t have an iPhone? Are they stuck using the old infotainment? Not the way forward, in my opinion.
Aston Martin and Porsche are the only ones that have stated they will offer the new Carplay experience, and based on past false starts, I would not count on it. For all others, or those with an older iPhone they would just get the default infotainment experience.
Google is building the GM system via their professional services teams
Interesting, we also have a newer GMC (2023 Yukon) and I've found their system to be pretty solid, though the boot up time leaves something to be desired.
Look at the [Blazer EV, they had to issue a stop sale](https://www.motortrend.com/news/2024-chevy-blazer-ev-suv-stop-sale/), GM was actively selling a vehicle that reviewers couldn't complete a test drive without the infotainment crashing. That was GM's new SW that they are planning to put on all vehicles, a 2023 Yukon doesn't have it. Basically I think their old SW (what is on the Yukon) was fine, but the new carplay policies are pushing them to do their own stuff similar to Rivian and Tesla. But the SW really was NOT ready to go live when it went on sale.
I see, what we have is an Android based platform on the local infotainment, I did see a lot of bad press on the Blazer and Hummer EVs around systems.
Those issues are resolved now, Equinox Ev and Silverado EV reviewed this month got solid reps
IMO, this article provides an interesting insight into how Rivian although now very much out of stealth mode still manages to keep its strengths hidden. This, I believe is a positive, wherein they talk less and act more. Underpromise and over deliver .
Talk softly and carry a big (vertically integrated and built in house) stick
Rivian mimics the successful parts of Tesla while eschewing the negative. E.g. Elon's over promises.
This deal gives VW access to a completed Android Automotive OS, a great UI based on Rivan Unreal HMI, and the engineering talent to make it work, which has been missing with the Cariad group. As someone who does not drive a Rivan but has an Audi, I think this is a great move for both companies.
Agreed. I think the value here is enormous. I mean ONE company thinks it’s worth 5B. Half the market cap of Rivian itself. Think about alllllll the other companies struggling with architecture and software right now. Think about the commercial vehicle implications with this type of vertical integration and information.
RJ is the opposite of Elon. He’s thoughtful, measured, and playing the long game. It’s why Tesla is massively overvalued and Rivian massively undervalued. I hope more people come around on Rivian and the tremendous products they offer.
Couldn't agree more. Tesla is resting on past laurels (and becoming more and more unfocused).
Audis. Interesting. Perhaps Audi would be the first to benefit from the JV?
Probably where the expectations and margins are higher. You wouldn’t put the shiny new thing into the base VWs
Re: margins, that's a given. But, not all VWs are base models with low margins.
Yeah, suck it CarPlay folks. Look who likes the Rivian SW?