R2 Launch Watch

[chucchinchilla]

Scout will be brand new too so yes, initial quality will be in the spotlight.

I'm not anti-screen or anti-buttons and I really like Scout's implementation with a mix of both buttons and an excellent U/I that seems to share many similarities to Rivian's UX. in fact, the latest Rivian OS is more like Scouts "community driven UX" with options to "push features" right or left. As a driver, I liked the old UX but can totally see how this update will cater to both driver and passenger.

FWIW I don't view Scout as anti-screen as a core value. As you know, the interfaces for modern EV's depend heavily on SW functionality that is complex, and can be far better served through an app or infotainment screen (as opposed as through some clunky multi-button experience). Voice is also becoming one of my preferred interfaces and is arguably safer than buttons or screens.

To be clear, I don't mean 100% anti screen like we're going back to my '67 Bus, I mean don't throw everything behind a screen, haptic buttons, and a few scrolly wheels. See Tesla or Volkswagen Group under Herbert Diess for what I'm talking about. Scout has a nice mix of both which I like, and it appears VW under Andy Mindt is also starting to follow suit ditching ID-era mess and inserting a hybrid screen/button approach as well (and normal door handles thankfully).

 

[speedrye]

To be clear, I don't mean 100% anti screen like we're going back to my '67 Bus, I mean don't throw everything behind a screen, haptic buttons, and a few scrolly wheels. See Tesla or Volkswagen Group under Herbert Diess for what I'm talking about. Scout has a nice mix of both which I like, and it appears VW under Andy Mindt is also starting to follow suit ditching ID-era mess and inserting a hybrid screen/button approach as well (and normal door handles thankfully).

I'd normally agree with you, but seeing that Porsche Mission S concept has me thinking I'm okay with zero screens except my phone.

 

[R1TVT]

To be clear, I don't mean 100% anti screen like we're going back to my '67 Bus, I mean don't throw everything behind a screen, haptic buttons, and a few scrolly wheels. See Tesla or Volkswagen Group under Herbert Diess for what I'm talking about. Scout has a nice mix of both which I like, and it appears VW under Andy Mindt is also starting to follow suit ditching ID-era mess and inserting a hybrid screen/button approach as well (and normal door handles thankfully).

My only experience with Tesla and VW is with rentals and a couple of rides in Ubers, so not extensive. All I know is that the Rivian SW and all OTA's have far exceeded any other infotainment and UX experience I have had with any other OEM, so I view that as good news for Scout - particularly with those big chunky buttons. I like that there aren't a lot of them. They seems to have struck a nice balance!

 

[Jasco]

Seems to me the general consensus around here is that Scout is hitting the right balance between screens and buttons. Some might hew towards tech and others towards minimalism but I think Scout is offering something for everyone. I'm most curious about the UX they are cooking up that ties the physical buttons to screen-based interactions and how the two will work together. For example a tow/haul button that brings up trailer presets and toggles through them. From there you can edit or adjust a presets and other trailor related information either directly on the screen or though something like Rivian's haptic rotary wheels. I'm sure they will include some clever and useful integrations. I'm also hoping they inlcude gestures on the physical toggles such as press up/down, press and hold up/down for added functionality. Scout should hold a UX day at some point once prototype vehicles start rolling out. They've touted the physcial design and should do the same on the digital ends of things.

 

[chucchinchilla]

Seems to me the general consensus around here is that Scout is hitting the right balance between screens and buttons. Some might hew towards tech and others towards minimalism but I think Scout is offering something for everyone. I'm most curious about the UX they are cooking up that ties the physical buttons to screen-based interactions and how the two will work together. For example a tow/haul button that brings up trailer presets and toggles through them. From there you can edit or adjust a presets and other trailor related information either directly on the screen or though something like Rivian's haptic rotary wheels. I'm sure they will include some clever and useful integrations. I'm also hoping they inlcude gestures on the physical toggles such as press up/down, press and hold up/down for added functionality. Scout should hold a UX day at some point once prototype vehicles start rolling out. They've touted the physcial design and should do the same on the digital ends of things.

It's funny to think I was only 3 miles down the road and an employee badge away from seeing all of Scout's UX rigged up at Rivian's R&D facility. So close yet so far.

 

[Jasco]

It's funny to think I was only 3 miles down the road and an employee badge away from seeing all of Scout's UX rigged up at Rivian's R&D facility. So close yet so far.

Next time! Hide behind a bush and follow an employee through the door. Bring a clipboard. No one questions a person with a clipboard.

 

[chucchinchilla]

Next time! Hide behind a bush and follow an employee through the door. Bring a clipboard. No one questions a person with a clipboard.

 

[J Alynn]

I'd normally agree with you, but seeing that Porsche Mission S concept has me thinking I'm okay with zero screens except my phone.

Not a scout topic but I really like the direction Porsche is going with that concept. If only I had an extra $150K sitting around

 

[R1TVT]

Well, this should bode well for Scout Motors:

https://www.autoblog.com/news/rivian-jumps-from-10th-to-2nd-in-u-s-ev-sales-in-one-year

 

[cyure]

Well, this should bode well for Scout Motors:

https://www.autoblog.com/news/rivian-jumps-from-10th-to-2nd-in-u-s-ev-sales-in-one-year

Come on Rivian. Keep growing so we can get a Trader Joe’s in town! How about a Costco. That would be amazing!

 

[chucchinchilla]

I finally got to sit in and check out an R2 this weekend at the Rivian Palo Alto store! I've been sitting on this reservation since April of 2024
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Yup, I'm canceling.
On one hand it's exactly what they showed and exactly what I was expecting, but but it's very different actually sitting and experiencing the car for yourself. Felt very corporate inside and the zeitgeist of touchscreen all the things has long worn off. I don't want to use a screen to adjust an air vent for example. My wife said the interior aesthetic made her feel like she was sitting in a wework.

Also the car on the showroom floor had a noticeably saggy and loose front passenger door that I could physically jiggle by lifting it up. Never seen that on a new car before. VIN was in the 1500 range so it's not like this was pre-production or one of the first batch of cars. This served as a reminder of all the QC problems people have been reporting on R2 which was the final nail in the coffin.

I'm still a fan, I want this car to succeed, and I get why tons of people will buy them, I just won't be one of them. Speaking of people buying R2's, I'm in Silicon Valley which is one of, if not the hottest market for Rivian and I've still only seen a small handful. By this time in Model 3 and Model Y's roll out they were everywhere. Not sure what's going on there but it's notable.

Just to clarify, the #1 reason why we walked from the R2 was...after years of excitement, when we finally got to sit in the car we just weren't feeling it. Call it a change of needs/wants/personality/whatever, it just didn't feel like us. So we walked. No offense to R2 owners or Rivian because I still believe they're delivering exactly what they promised and what I was expecting, it just doesn't fit me/us anymore.

In other news we bought a new car yesterday, more to come on that one.

 

[J Alynn]

Just to clarify, the #1 reason why we walked from the R2 was...after years of excitement, when we finally got to sit in the car we just weren't feeling it. Call it a change of needs/wants/personality/whatever, it just didn't feel like us. So we walked. No offense to R2 owners or Rivian because I still believe they're delivering exactly what they promised and what I was expecting, it just doesn't fit me/us anymore.

In other news we bought a new car yesterday, more to come on that one.

Excited to hear and see what you want to share

 

[R1TVT]

Just more love for the BOX.

This is from an old article that popped up, but if i owned any SUV, I would make lay-flat seating a requirement. This is the equivalent to owning a house with a garage in my book.

 

[J Alynn]

Just more love for the BOX.

This is from an old article that popped up, but if i owned any SUV, I would make lay-flat seating a requirement. This is the equivalent to owning a house with a garage in my book.


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That’s a great view to see how much space you really can get out of the back of a Rivian