Rivian CEO Explains Why Apple CarPlay Won't Come to Its Vehicles

[erihp]

I see a bunch of arguing on touchscreens vs physical controls.
Inconvenient truth: there’s a load of evidence and countless studies from the auto industry and the computer industry to support the fact that muscle memory when combined with physical controls is less prone to errors and distraction than any touchscreen. It’s cool to have a screen in the car but it’s undeniably and factually not as safe in practice. CarPlay, Tesla, Rivian, all of them suffer from this. I’m not a no CarPlay no buy type, I’m more of a no volume knob, no buy type.

Using an touchscreen interface to 'do things with your car' vs physically manipulating the car also has some real effect on people. There is a widening gap of people who can do things. The setting of Idiocracy comes to mind.

Eventually the infotainment system is going to be so dated that they won't release updates for it anymore (Rivian just did this with the Gen2 refresh; many software features aren't supported on 2024 Gen1 vehicles). While CarPlay won't fix that particular issue, it can increase the longevity of the basic usefulness of the vehicle.

Just sticking with streaming and maps as an example here, if you want hardware that can run the newest apps, or get the latest updates to the apps you already love:

Have CarPlay? Buy a new $700 phone.
No CarPlay? Buy a new $70,000 car.

It doesn't matter if the infotainment system gets sluggish or no longer supported, it's just a dumb terminal for CarPlay.

It will be a greater challenge, but the market always comes to the rescue with weird replacement head unit solutions! And because of Carplay, if it has a decent preout, all you really need is a screen with support for Carplay!

 

[Xade]

Apple couldn’t allow them to add a button that opens the trunk?!?!

Why not just have a physical button to open the boot (trunk!)? I would prefer that along with a volume knob for media. I'm fed up having to go into menus and submenus to do the simplest things.

 

[Xade]

I have a choice for navigation on my phone. My last car service they wanted a ludicrous amount of money just to update the sat nav software. My brother's car has car play. My next car will have car play too!

 

[bviktor]

It's surprising when not even such a high CEO understands this extremely simple concept: a phone is only in use for maybe 3 to 5 years, while a car will be in use for 20. Their wonderful infotainment system will be completely useless by the time the car turns 10.

Tesla is ALREADY facing these issues, and is trying to mitigate with "HW" retrofits, sometimes for free, sometimes for huge loads of money. And their cars aren't even 10 years old.

 

[svish]

Disappointing to hear that CarPlay is never going to be supported.

 

[BuffaloTF]

A well designed screen OR voice commands is easier than buttons. With the exception of turning a radio on or off, before Tesla I had to look briefly at the dashboard. Now I look briefly at the screen or use voice commands.

Just tap in the left button on the steering wheel to turn off the radio. No looks required.

 

[I7guy]

It's surprising when not even such a high CEO understands this extremely simple concept: a phone is only in use for maybe 3 to 5 years, while a car will be in use for 20. Their wonderful infotainment system will be completely useless by the time the car turns 10.

Tesla is ALREADY facing these issues, and is trying to mitigate with "HW" retrofits, sometimes for free, sometimes for huge loads of money. And their cars aren't even 10 years old.

Keep my cars three years, phones 4 years. But that’s me. With a screen add functions. No screen - drill a hole in the dashboard for more buttons.

 

[darngooddesign]

Keep my cars three years, phones 4 years. But that’s me. With a screen add functions. No screen - drill a hole in the dashboard for more buttons.

It shouldn't be an either/or situation.

My CX-50 has a great interior with a really nice combination of physical controls and a wide touchscreen. Even has physical buttons for home, back, map, audio for the touchscreen so you don't need to reach for the screen for the most common things you use it for.

 

[richpjr]

Tesla has been quite open about why they are going away from buttons. I have seen this list a couple of times before:

Tesla's decision to use a large touchscreen interface in its vehicles, rather than physical buttons and knobs, is rooted in several factors, including design, functionality, and the company's vision for the future of automotive technology. Here are some reasons why Tesla made this choice:​

​

1. Simplicity and Minimalism: Tesla's design philosophy prioritizes simplicity and minimalism. By consolidating controls onto a single touchscreen interface, Tesla is able to create a clean, uncluttered interior that emphasizes the futuristic and high-tech nature of their vehicles.
2. Flexibility and Upgradability: A touchscreen interface offers greater flexibility and upgradability compared to traditional physical controls. Software updates can introduce new features, improve existing functionalities, and address issues without requiring physical changes to the vehicle's interior.
3. Integration of Multiple Functions: A touchscreen interface allows Tesla to integrate a wide range of functions and controls into a single interface, providing a centralized hub for controlling everything from climate settings to navigation to media playback. This can enhance user experience by making it easier to access and control various features.
4. Adaptability to Autonomous Driving: As Tesla continues to develop its autonomous driving technology, a large touchscreen interface could play a crucial role in facilitating communication between the vehicle and the driver/passengers. In a future where cars are increasingly autonomous, a touchscreen interface may become even more essential for interacting with the vehicle's systems.
5. Cost and Weight Savings: By eliminating physical buttons and knobs, Tesla can reduce manufacturing costs and save weight in the vehicle, potentially improving efficiency and performance.

While there are certainly advantages to a touchscreen interface, it's important to acknowledge that this design choice may not appeal to everyone. Some drivers prefer the tactile feedback and muscle memory associated with physical controls. However, Tesla's decision to prioritize a touchscreen interface aligns with its focus on innovation, technology, and creating a distinct user experience that sets its vehicles apart in the market.​

Clearly not everyone will agree with the above. One of my cars is a Santa Fe Hybrid and that has way too many buttons to ever be able to do everything by muscle memory - I have to look down to see which of the large group of buttons I need to press.

 

[I7guy]

It shouldn't be an either/or situation.

My CX-50 has a great interior with a really nice combination of physical controls and a wide touchscreen. Even has physical buttons for home, back, map, audio for the touchscreen so you don't need to reach for the screen for the most common things you use it for.

It’s a matter of style and taste as to your preference in vehicles. I love the minimalism in Teslas. The two things I adjust most is the climate control and audio. Both can be done easily with voice or buttons on the wheel. Tesla has done a great job of minimizing screen interactions. But some do like buttons.

I know there have been many conversations but teslas aren’t disappearing in a catastrophic wave of accidents on the road because they have touch screens.

 

[victorvictoria]

Except in my car, Apple Music IS free, or at least I am not paying for it to sit in my car. I already have Apple Music, car or not. I carry Apple Music (on my iPhone, which you have if you are using CarPlay) around with me all day. So what is the additional cost? Nada.

One way to look at it. Except, how did that music get on your phone without paying for it? Are you implying you practice intellectual property theft, or piracy? Hmmm?🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️☠️☠️☠️

 

[Stromos]

You still have to touch a screen to do something - which you are arguing against. That is the point.

Amazon music app has come to Tesla in the summer update. To switch music apps you still have to touch a screen. On a Tesla I use the scroll wheels or voice commands. CarPlay is great but it’s still screen touching. You may not like teslas but their infotainment is probably the best out there. I have no idea where Tesla is charging people. I can still plug my phone into the data port and control it on screen for music. (Don’t mention wireless CarPlay, because it’s not universal)

Again if you haven’t lived with a Tesla you don’t understand how good it is. If you really want CarPlay you can add multiple third party screens in under an hour for a nominal cost. Your opinion on Tesla build quality is stuck in 2019. And Tesla App Store has been in the rumor mill. As far as navigation Tesla has been working to interconnect its fleet making real time info a probable reality.

Never said I was against touching a screen. I am against touching my phone screen which is illegal in most states. If the laws change and I can have my phone mounted to my Dash and interact with it, then all good.

 

[I7guy]

Never said I was against touching a screen. I am against touching my phone screen which is illegal in most states.

Agree 100%. Touching a phone screen is illegal in most states and I am against it as well.

If the laws change and I can have my phone mounted to my Dash and interact with it, then all good.

My point is I don’t need to touch my phone.

 

[I7guy]

Except in my car, Apple Music IS free, or at least I am not paying for it to sit in my car. I already have Apple Music, car or not. I carry Apple Music (on my iPhone, which you have if you are using CarPlay) around with me all day. So what is the additional cost? Nada.

My cell phone pays for Apple Music and there is an Apple Music app in my Tesla infotainment.

 

[ijordano]

Ive literally never heard of rivian

 

[richpjr]

Ive literally never heard of rivian

They are a small EV company that sold 46k cars last year (vs 1.81 million Tesla cars). Volkswagen just invested a billion dollars in them and has promised another $4 billion more in future investments.

 

[G5isAlive]

One way to look at it. Except, how did that music get on your phone without paying for it? Are you implying you practice intellectual property theft, or piracy? Hmmm?🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️🏴‍☠️☠️☠️☠️

No I am stating, not implying, that it is not an additional cost to be considered in the decision process as you suggested it was. its a sunk cost I have already paid, for me to enjoy music on my phone, my home, and now my car. It is not an independent additional cost.

 

[webkit]

Ive literally never heard of rivian

I believe Rivian still currently only sells vehicles in the U.S. They sold/delivered a little over 50,000 vehicles last year. Amazon is Rivian's largest shareholder, owning about 17% of the company.

 

[mateytate]

That's a mistaken assumption you've made, especially for those of us who've been around since WAY before iOS

(Macs are not and never have been a closed ecosystem)

Oh come on, I have been a Mac user for many, many years (starting with a G3) and with each new OS update that comes, Apple makes it more and more difficult for the average user to run 3rd party non-Mac store applications. Yes, you can still do it but they are certainly not heading in the right direction for me. Lets not start on iOS.

 

[TundraKing]

Compete? Apple gains nothing by embedding apps. Nobody does unless they're looking to start charging a subscription or they built the OS. Google is selling infotainment software, similar to what Microsoft used to do. Apple is not going to start selling iOS in Car.

I jump in my car, my phone is connecting as the car is turning on, and CarPlay is up and running as I pull out of the driveway. I jump in a car at a rental agency, I plug in and setup CarPlay, then that car behaves mostly the same as what I have at home for however long I'm renting it. I get in my wife's car, there's my same interface with me yet again. Cars are a hell of a lot more like video game consoles than smartphones, and when a new generation comes along you can expect the old to start lacking support.

You apparently haven’t driven many cars….. CarPlay supports few Apple apps and it is not as seamless as you believe. I travel and rent vehicles nearly once a month and many vehicles are wired interfaces only. Key Apple services Music, TV+ etc… are already supported via web interfaces and on other platforms so no its not a stretch to expect them to offer them on auto UI’s….

 

[jdsingle]

Typical CEO stuff these days. Graphical UI is not a part of our core competency? Who cares. We will make it. Then be like GM, who I posit will capitulate to CarPlay in the next five years. Don’t stray outside your core competencies. And Rivian, you don’t pay enough for the best.

 

[jdsingle]

Do you need a touch screen to control the radio or climate?

No. What point are you making? I can use a knob or use a digital display via touch screen. Who cares?

 

[Downhilltenago]

Idiot. It’s not like they ate having record sales. This will guarantee a no buy from a lot of potential customers.

 

[breenmask]

I find it very hilarious that people bash Apple for being too over controlling with their ecosystem but also want Apple to control the software in one of the most important devices they use.

 

[MacBookPro88]

I feel like these car companies that are now coming out to reject carplay just want control of the product they're make. Apple is trying to control their cars now. That's overstepping. If Apple wants to control everything in vehicles, they should create their own vehicle.