Rivian Unveils Halloween-Themed “Car Costumes” for Electric Vehicles
Electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian has announced the release of Halloween-themed “car costumes” for its lineup, bringing a touch of spooky fun to its high-tech vehicles. The update, set to roll out on October 18th, will introduce three distinct themes inspired by popular culture and Halloween traditions.
The new features, which require the 2024.39 software version and the latest mobile app, include interfaces reminiscent of the classic TV show “Knight Rider” and the iconic film “Back to the Future,” as well as a “Haunted” theme complete with ghostly animations.
Rivian’s “Knight Rider” theme transforms the vehicle’s interior display into K.I.T.T.’s diagnostics screen and plays the original show’s intro music. Gen 2 vehicles will also feature an exterior red scanner light and sound effect, although this feature is not available for Gen 1 models.
The “Back to the Future” theme showcases the Time Machine interface on the interior screen, accompanied by music and acceleration sound effects from the film. Users can access this theme via the mobile app, where they’ll find Gear Guard dressed as Doc Brown.
For those seeking a more traditional Halloween experience, the “Haunted Rivian” theme offers eight sound effects and three color themes. This mode displays static and ghost animations on the interior screen, with Gen 2 vehicles featuring an exterior light bar that reflects the chosen color theme.
Additional Halloween-inspired features include the appearance of zombies and headless horsemen on the driver’s screen in place of pedestrians, cars, and bicyclists. Rivian has also hidden Easter eggs throughout the interface, such as crows, pumpkins, and green flames in Camp mode.
This move by Rivian draws comparisons to Tesla’s well-known practice of including Easter egg updates in its vehicles. Tesla has previously offered features like synchronized Christmas music light shows and themed security modes. However, unlike Tesla’s experience with its “2001: A Space Odyssey” theme, which was changed due to lack of permission, Rivian appears to have secured the necessary rights for its pop culture-inspired themes.
As the electric vehicle market continues to evolve, manufacturers like Rivian are finding innovative ways to engage customers and differentiate their products. These Halloween-themed “car costumes” represent a playful approach to software updates, potentially setting a new standard for seasonal customization in the automotive industry.
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