Rivian has launched an expanded Universal Hands‑Free (UHF) driving system that extends hands‑free, Level‑2 driver assistance across roughly 3.5 million miles of marked roads in the U.S. and Canada and ties into a broader AI and custom‑silicon autonomy strategy announced at the company’s Autonomy and AI Day events[5][7].
What is Universal Hands‑Free and how much wider is its coverage? Universal Hands‑Free (UHF) is Rivian’s upgraded Level‑2 hands‑free driver‑assist system that can operate on any road with clearly painted lane lines rather than only on pre‑mapped highways, expanding usable road coverage from about 135,000–150,000 miles to roughly 3.5 million miles across the U.S. and Canada[1][3][5]. Rivian says that increase is possible because UHF relies less on static map data and more on real‑time perception from the vehicle’s sensors to detect lane markings and road geometry[1][5].
How Rivian delivers the update and which vehicles qualify Rivian will distribute UHF primarily via an over‑the‑air (OTA) software update for second‑generation R1 models introduced in mid‑2024 and later, making the expanded hands‑free capability broadly available without a hardware retrofit for eligible vehicles[4][1]. The company has indicated the update will be rolled out soon after its Autonomy and AI Day announcements and that the initial offering will be included as part of a free trial period for customers[1][4].
Safety level, driver responsibilities, and technical limits UHF is classified as a Level‑2 driver assistance system, meaning the driver must remain attentive and ready to take over at any time; it does not remove the requirement for driver supervision[3][5]. Rivian’s feature set uses a sensor suite—including multiple cameras and radars—to perceive the environment and supports hands‑free control on roads with clear markings, but the company warns UHF will not handle traffic control devices such as stop signs or traffic lights and will not replace driver judgment[5]. Rivian also pairs UHF with other autonomy features like Co‑steer and its evolving AI stack to continuously improve performance[5][6].
Pricing, packages, and AI integration strategy Rivian will offer an autonomy package called Autonomy Plus that includes UHF; the company has announced pricing options that include a one‑time purchase or subscription model (reported at about $2,500 one‑time or roughly $49.99/month in media coverage), though Rivian’s official rollout terms and timing may vary by market and vehicle model[2][3]. The expanded hands‑free system is part of a larger push toward in‑house AI and custom silicon—Rivian unveiled an internally designed processor and a Large Driving Model (LDM) approach intended to power future self‑driving capabilities and services such as a new Rivian Assistant voice AI[7][2].
What’s next: sensors, R2 platform and future autonomy targets Rivian signaled that future vehicles (notably the R2 platform) will include lidar and additional compute hardware aimed at achieving higher autonomy levels (possible Level‑4 capability in limited conditions), while current UHF remains Level‑2 and relies on cameras, radar and Rivian’s ACM3 compute architecture on many vehicles[2][3][6]. The company plans to continue iterating both software and hardware, training large driving models from fleet data to improve real‑world performance and expand operational design domains[7][5].
Frequently Asked Questions
What roads will Universal Hands‑Free work on? Universal Hands‑Free is designed to operate on roads in the U.S. and Canada that have clearly painted lane lines; Rivian estimates coverage of roughly 3.5 million miles of such roads based on third‑party road‑marking data[1][5].
Which Rivian vehicles will get the UHF update? The OTA update for UHF is targeted at second‑generation R1 models (R1S and R1T revisions introduced in mid‑2024 and later); availability for earlier models depends on hardware compatibility and Rivian’s support policies[4][1].
Is UHF fully autonomous (hands‑off, eyes‑off)? No. UHF is a Level‑2 driver assistance system that enables hands‑free driving where lane markings are adequate, but drivers must remain attentive and be prepared to take control instantly[3][5].
Will UHF cost extra? Rivian announced Autonomy Plus packages that are expected to be available as either a one‑time purchase or a subscription; media reports cite pricing around $2,500 one‑time or about $49.99/month, and Rivian offered an initial free trial period for early adopters[2][3][4].
How does UHF differ from other hands‑free systems like Super Cruise or BlueCruise? Unlike systems that depend heavily on pre‑mapped highways, Rivian’s UHF emphasizes real‑time perception to operate on any road with clear lane markings, which substantially expands the number of drivable miles over Rivian’s previous Enhanced Highway Assist and many map‑restricted competitors[1][3][5].
Will UHF handle stop signs, traffic lights, or unmarked roads? Rivian explicitly states UHF will not stop or slow for traffic lights or stop signs, and it requires lane markings to operate; unmarked roads and intersections remain outside its intended capabilities[5].
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:11:14 PM
**Rivian Breaking News Update: Universal Hands-Free (UHF) Launch Accelerates Autonomy Push**
Rivian announced its expanded Universal Hands-Free driving system at Autonomy and AI Day, deploying via free OTA update 2025.46 later this month to second-gen R1 vehicles, boosting compatible roads from 135,000-150,000 miles to over **3.5 million miles** across the US and Canada on any clearly lined on- or off-highway paths[1][3][4]. A Rivian spokesperson confirmed to *The Drive*: “the 3.5 million (mile) estimate is based on our analysis of marked roads using a third-party data source,” with the free trial extending through early 20
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:21:11 PM
**LIVE NEWS UPDATE: Rivian Universal Hands-Free Launch – Regulatory Front**
No official regulatory or government responses have emerged to Rivian's expanded Universal Hands-Free system, which enables hands-free driving on over **3.5 million miles** of clearly marked roads across the U.S. and Canada.[1][2] Rivian's own documentation stresses that the feature "does not replace a driver’s judgment or the need to pay attention and control the vehicle," with drivers required to stay prepared to intervene at all times, aligning with existing U.S. NHTSA guidelines for Level 2 autonomy.[2] Agency monitoring continues amid the December 11, 2025 rollout, but no approvals, probes, or statements from regulators like NH
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:31:32 PM
**BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: No Official Regulatory Response to Rivian's Universal Hands-Free Launch**
Rivian's newly unveiled Universal Hands-Free driving system, enabling hands-free operation on **3.5 million miles** of clearly marked roads across the U.S. and Canada, has drawn no immediate comments or actions from U.S. or Canadian regulatory bodies like the NHTSA or Transport Canada as of this update.[1][2] Rivian's official materials stress that the feature "does not replace a driver’s judgment" and requires constant attention, aligning with existing Level 2 ADAS guidelines, but no government probes, approvals, or citations have been reported in announcements from December 11, 2025.[2][4] Industry observer
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:41:46 PM
Rivian’s expanded Universal Hands‑Free system, which enables hands‑free driving on **3.5 million miles** of U.S. and Canadian roads, is already drawing global attention as a benchmark for mass-market lidar-equipped autonomy and prompting regulatory and competitive responses abroad[3][1]. Automakers and regulators in Europe and Asia are reported to be watching closely — Rivian says the system will ship on second‑gen R1 models and R2 production vehicles next year, and company executives told attendees the platform uses in‑house AI silicon and lidar to create fleet‑wide “ground truthing” that could accelerate international deployment and data sharing while raising questions
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 4:51:21 PM
Rivian today expanded its **Universal Hands‑Free** driving system to cover **over 3.5 million miles** of U.S. and Canadian roads, enabling hands‑free driving where lanes are clearly marked, the company said at its Autonomy Day presentation[1][2]. Rivian also unveiled new in‑house AI hardware — a multi‑chip processor rated at **~800 TOPS**, plus 10 HDR cameras, 5 radars and LiDAR for 360° sensing and up to **1,000 feet** of perception — which Rivian says will let every vehicle help train the fleet’s autonomy models in real time[1
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:01:38 PM
Rivian said its new **Universal Hands‑Free (UHF)** Level‑2 system will expand hands‑free driving coverage from roughly 150,000 miles to **about 3.5 million miles across the U.S. and Canada**, operable on *any* road with clearly painted lane lines via an over‑the‑air update for Gen‑2 R1 models[1][3]. At its Autonomy event Rivian executives highlighted the move alongside new custom silicon and AI capabilities — touting an 800 TOPS processing platform and plans to ship lidar‑equipped R2 models next year that will support higher levels of autonomy[2][
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:11:19 PM
**NEWS UPDATE: Rivian Universal Hands-Free Launch Sparks Enthusiasm Amid Skepticism**
Rivian owners on forums expressed growing excitement for the expanded Universal Hands-Free system, unlocking hands-free driving on **3.5 million miles** of U.S. and Canada roads where lanes are clearly marked, with one user noting, "They said we will have it by the end of 2025. I was skeptical then, but this reduces my skepticism. Maybe it will happen?"[1][2][6] Public reaction highlights praise for surpassing Tesla on cost for R1 and R2 models, though some consumers remain cautious about full autonomy promises given disclaimers that drivers must stay attentive.[3][2]
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:21:17 PM
**BREAKING: Rivian Expands Universal Hands-Free to 3.5 Million Miles via OTA Update**
Rivian is rolling out an over-the-air update this month for second-generation R1S and R1T models (mid-2024 and later), boosting Universal Hands-Free compatibility from 150,000 miles to **3.5 million miles** across the U.S. and Canada on any road with clearly painted lines—not just highways.[1][2][5] The Level 2 system, free until March 2026, requires drivers to stay attentive, as stated by Rivian exec: “Universal hands-free unlocks over 3.5 million miles of hands-free driving... If there is a painted line and it’s clearl
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:31:26 PM
Rivian has rolled out its expanded Universal Hands‑Free (UHF) system via OTA to second‑generation R1 models, increasing supported roadway mileage from 150,000 to **3.5 million miles** across the U.S. and Canada and enabling hands‑free driving on *any* clearly lane‑marked road while remaining a Level‑2 system that requires driver readiness to intervene[1][2][3]. The update pairs with Rivian’s new autonomy stack and custom silicon (announced at Autonomy Day) to run higher‑capacity perception and path‑planning models on‑vehicle, improving lane‑edge detection and lane‑change assistance but
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:41:18 PM
Rivian’s expanded Universal Hands‑Free (UHF) system now covers about **3.5 million miles** of paved roads in the U.S. and Canada—up from roughly 150,000 miles—via an over‑the‑air update for second‑generation R1 models, a move analysts say narrows the gap with GM’s Super Cruise and Ford’s BlueCruise while remaining a Level‑2 system that requires driver readiness[1][2]. Industry experts note the scale and road‑agnostic claim (any road with clearly painted lines) is “ambitious” and could raise safety‑validation challenges—one analyst called it a “
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 5:51:15 PM
Rivian has expanded its **Universal Hands‑Free (UHF)** system via an over‑the‑air update to cover **3.5 million miles** of roads across the U.S. and Canada for second‑generation R1 models, up from 150,000 miles previously, and the expanded capability will be free until March next year, the company said[1][2]. Rivian also announced the rollout will be accompanied by new AI features—including a Rivian Assistant voice system and its own custom silicon for next‑gen autonomy—while stressing UHF remains a Level‑2 system that *requires* the driver to stay attentive and ready to
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:01:42 PM
Rivian’s expanded Universal Hands‑Free update — which boosts hands‑free coverage from roughly 150,000 miles to about 3.5 million miles of painted‑lane roads — drew mixed consumer reaction, with some owners calling it “night‑and‑day” improvement and early adopters reporting confident highway runs on social channels[1][2]. Critics and safety advocates cautioned that the Level‑2 system still requires driver attention, with forum posts and experts urging restraint and noting lingering skepticism despite Rivian’s demo claims[2][7].
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:11:14 PM
**Breaking: Rivian rolls out Universal Hands-Free driving update today to second-generation R1 EVs.** The software expands hands-free operation—covering steering, braking, and acceleration with driver attention monitoring—from 135,000-150,000 miles of highways to over **3.5 million miles** of mapped roads across the US and Canada, including surface streets with visible lane lines, and remains free until March 2026[1][2][6]. Additional features include new "Autonomy Drive Styles" (Mild, Medium, Spicy), digital key support for iPhones and Androids, and "Kick Turn" for quad-motor variants[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:21:21 PM
**Rivian expands its Universal Hands-Free (UHF) Level 2 driver assistance system via over-the-air update for second-generation R1S and R1T models, boosting compatible roads from 150,000 miles to 3.5 million miles across the U.S. and Canada on any clearly line-marked road—not just highways.** The free update rolls out this month and remains complimentary until March 2026, as announced during Rivian's AI and Autonomy Day last week[1][2][3]. Rivian SVP Vidya Rajagopalan highlighted future R2 SUVs with lidar for Level 4 autonomy by late 2026, positioning UHF as the current "Level 2++" leade
🔄 Updated: 12/18/2025, 6:31:29 PM
Rivian’s expanded Universal Hands‑Free rollout—to cover **3.5 million miles** of clearly lined roads and offered free until March—has drawn a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism from owners and the public[1][2]. Owners on social channels praised the broader coverage and OTA delivery as “game‑changing” and a “huge upgrade,” while safety advocates and some commenters warned that the Level‑2 system still requires driver attention and urged caution despite Rivian’s demos and marketing claims[1][2][3].