Rivian R2 owners can show a pet camera on their phone's lock screen
With software update 2026.36, Rivian R2 models get a Pet Cam feature that lets owners view a pet left in the car from their phone. Pet Mode has also been improved and can now be enabled from the app.
Rivian has released software update 2026.36, allowing owners of the R2 electric vehicle to keep an eye on a pet left in the car while they are away.
Pet Cam feature
R2 models include a high-definition interior camera, and the new feature uses it to show the cabin in the Rivian app. Users can choose a full livestream to see everything the animal does, or a regularly refreshed snapshot. This appears on the app dashboard or the phone's lock screen for a quick check. Pet Cam can be turned off with a tap on the vehicle's main display.
Pet Mode improvements
Pet Mode already provided animal-friendly climate control while the owner is not in the vehicle. It can now be enabled from the Rivian app in case it was forgotten before leaving the car. A confirmation prompt will appear when switching Pet Mode on or off in the app, to prevent accidental changes that could put the animal at risk. These controls will be available across all of the company's models.
Rivian Assistant
R2 models will also see the debut of Rivian Assistant. The AI voice assistant is already available in R1 models and can handle simple tasks related to navigation, entertainment and climate control in the vehicle.
