Rivian joins the hands-free highway driving party

is transportation editor with 10+ years of experience who covers EVs, public transportation, and aviation. His work has appeared in The New York Daily News and City & State. Rivian is pushing a software update to its second-generation vehicles that includes a hands-free highway driving feature, the company said Tuesday. It was a notable announcement, considering the company has lagged behind its competitors in introducing partially automated driving features similar to Tesla’s Autopilot and General Motors’ Super Cruise. The update enables drivers to take their hands off the steering wheel on “compatible highways,” covering 135,000 miles of road in the US and Canada. The company says its planning for a “significant” expansion in 2026, including “off-highway roads.” Rivian said that the new Enhanced Highway Assist feature controls “steering, acceleration, and braking to make driving a less stressful and more comfortable experience—so you arrive at your destination feeling refreshed.” ... Read full article.