The Upcoming Rivian May Handle Unlike Anything You've Experienced Before | Carscoops

      The Tesla Cybertruck utilizes a steer-by-wire system, and now Rivian seems to be following a similar path.

      Rivian is working on its own steer-by-wire system that will not have a direct physical connection between the steering wheel and the vehicle.

      A program manager will be tasked with overseeing the development, managing supplier relations, and ensuring quality control during the process.

      Steer-by-wire provides benefits such as efficient packaging, variable steering ratios, and established reliability in the aviation sector.

      Automakers consistently seek new innovations, product updates, and enhancements for their vehicles. However, they seldom truly reinvent fundamental components. Rivian appears to be attempting to change the way its customers link their steering wheels to their front wheels.

      Recently, Rivian was noted to have posted a job opening for a Senior Staff Technical Program Manager on its website. This program involves the development of a steering actuator system, which acts as the brain of a steer-by-wire system, and Rivian explicitly mentions this in the job description. The post states, “You’ll have full cradle-to-grave ownership of the SBW subsystem.”

      In essence, the person Rivian hires will lead this initiative. The company indicates that this individual will be in charge of managing supplier relationships, handling risk management, collaborating with other teams, problem-solving, and ensuring quality assurance, among other responsibilities. They will also be required to report progress to shareholders, so updates may be shared during future earnings calls.

      The appeal of steer-by-wire systems to automakers is understandable. It can help minimize engineering difficulties associated with vehicle design while also allowing for variable steering ratios. As previously mentioned, the Cybertruck already exemplifies how this technology works.

      With steer-by-wire, the steering wheel does not need to be continuously turned to achieve a complete left-to-right movement; instead, Tesla's system interprets driver input and adjusts steering angles based on vehicle speed.

      When functioning properly, this system leaves a positive impression, and notably, there have been no reported failures leading to accidents. It’s important to note that this technology was well established before Tesla implemented it, as commercial aircraft have reliably employed steer-by-wire systems for years.

      While the timeline for Rivian's introduction of this technology in its production vehicles remains unclear, it is anticipated to take at least one to two years. Once it is launched, it is likely to feature in multiple models, as the job listing describes it as “a critical technology that will define the future of our vehicles.”