Rivian is closing out the year by turning its newest trucks and SUVs into far more capable road-trip machines, led by a sweeping rollout of Universal Hands-Free assisted driving and a cluster of cabin and convenience upgrades. The latest software, labeled 2025.46, effectively redefines what a “new Rivian” feels like to live with, especially for Gen 2 owners who now see their vehicles take a major step toward true long-distance automation.
Instead of a single headline feature, the update layers Universal Hands-Free with a redesigned driver display, expanded driver-assistance coverage, and fresh digital key tools that pull Rivian deeper into the smartphone ecosystem. I see it as a statement of intent: the company is using software to keep pace with, and in some ways leapfrog, rivals in hands-free driving while also tightening the everyday details that shape how owners actually use their trucks.
Universal Hands-Free becomes the new Rivian headline
The centerpiece of the update is Universal Hands-Free, a system Rivian has been teasing as the next evolution of its driver assistance for Gen 2 vehicles. The company previously leaned on Enhanced Highway Assist, but with this release it is explicitly promising Hands-free assisted driving in more places for Gen 2 owners, signaling a shift from limited highway automation to a broader network of mapped roads. In practice, that means more stretches where the truck can steer, brake, and accelerate with traffic flow while the driver supervises.
Universal Hands-Free is not just a marketing phrase, it is the label Rivian is using to describe a system that lets the vehicle handle lane-keeping and speed control without constant hand contact on the wheel, as long as the driver remains attentive. Reporting on The Latest Rivians Just Got Universal Hands-Free and a Bunch Of Other Updates underscores that this capability is framed as a major differentiator for the newest trucks, mostly for Gen 2 owners who have the hardware to support it. I read that as Rivian drawing a clear line between its latest platform and earlier builds, using software to unlock the full potential of its newer sensor and compute stack.
Coverage expands dramatically for Gen 2 drivers
What makes Universal Hands-Free feel “universal” is not only the branding but the scale of the coverage Rivian is now claiming. The company is describing a massive expansion of mapped roads where the system can operate, with one report noting that Rivian Expands Hands-Free Driving Coverage by 24x in New Software Update, a figure that suggests a step change rather than an incremental tweak. For owners, that translates into far more routes where the truck can take over routine driving chores, especially on long highway stretches that previously required constant manual steering.
Rivian is also positioning this as a Gen 2 story, which matters because the second-generation hardware platform underpins the reliability and precision of the system. The company’s own description of Gen 2 vehicles emphasizes that these trucks can now handle more complex traffic scenarios while maintaining lane position and adjusting speed with surrounding cars. In my view, that scale of coverage, paired with the hardware focus, is Rivian’s way of telling early adopters that the most advanced automation will live on the newest platform, even as older vehicles continue to receive more modest improvements.
How Universal Hands-Free actually behaves on the road
Universal Hands-Free is still an assisted driving system, not a promise of full autonomy, and Rivian is explicit about the driver’s role. The company and independent trackers describe a setup where the vehicle can steer and manage speed on approved roads, but the human behind the wheel must keep eyes on the road and be ready to intervene. One detailed breakdown notes that Rivian’s Universal Hands-Free is officially rolling out in 2025.46 for Gen 2 and spells out what it can and cannot do, including the requirement that drivers continue paying attention and looking at the road.
That framing matters because it sets expectations around responsibility and capability. Another overview of Rivian Universal Hands-Free Is Rolling Out in 46 highlights that the system now works on a much larger set of roads but still operates within clear boundaries, such as defined speed ranges and conditions where it will hand control back to the driver. I see this as Rivian threading the needle between offering a compelling, hands-off experience and staying within the safety and regulatory expectations that govern advanced driver assistance in the United States.
Software update 2025.46 is the backbone of the rollout
All of these capabilities ride on a specific software release, and Rivian is treating 2025.46 as a milestone. The company’s own release notes describe Rivian Software Update 2025.46 as a package that not only introduces Universal Hands-Free but also refines the way the vehicle wakes from sleep and resumes driver-assistance behavior. That kind of under-the-skin change is easy to overlook, yet it shapes how seamless the system feels when drivers hop back in after a stop.
The broader release tracker confirms that Rivian Software Update 2025.46 is now “Wide Open,” a phrase that signals the update is no longer limited to a small test group. Those same notes highlight that version 46 includes Driver Display Now Customizable and that You can now switch between different Driver Assi views, which I will unpack later. For now, the key point is that 46 is the foundation for this entire wave of changes, and Rivian is pushing it aggressively across the fleet of eligible vehicles.
Digital Key and smartphone integration catch up fast
While Universal Hands-Free grabs the headlines, Rivian is also using 2025.46 to close a gap that has nagged some owners: deep smartphone-based access. The update introduces a new Digital Key feature that lets Gen 2 R1 owners use their phones as primary keys, a convenience that rivals have leaned on for years. One report notes that Another significant bonus, in addition to Universal Hands-Free, is Rivian’s new Digital Key for Apple and Android users, underscoring that this is not a side note but a marquee feature in its own right.
The smartphone integration goes beyond simple lock and unlock. Coverage of the latest update explains that There is more to Rivian’s new software than automation, with the Digital Key system designed to work across iOS and Android so owners can tailor access based on their needs or preferences. I see this as Rivian acknowledging that the phone is now the default interface for many drivers, and that a modern EV has to treat the smartphone as a first-class control surface, not an afterthought.
Driver Display Now Customizable reshapes the cockpit
Inside the cabin, Rivian is giving drivers more control over what they see and how they see it. The release notes for 2025.46 emphasize that Driver Display Now Customizable, and that You can now switch between the Driver Assistance view, which shows vehicles and objects around you, and other layouts that prioritize different information. That flexibility matters because it lets owners decide whether they want a more minimalist look or a detailed visualization of the road ahead when driver assistance is active.
The same theme appears in the broader release tracker, which notes that Driver Display Now Customizable is a headline item in the 46 Wide Open rollout and that You can now switch between the Driver Assi focused view and alternatives depending on context. In my view, this is Rivian aligning its interface with the reality of more capable automation: as systems like Universal Hands-Free take on more of the driving load, the way information is presented becomes just as important as the underlying capability, both for comfort and for safety.
Rivian Launches Expanded Hands-Free Driving alongside other upgrades
Universal Hands-Free does not exist in isolation, it is part of a broader push Rivian is making to deepen its driver-assistance suite. One detailed overview notes that Rivian Launches Expanded Hands-Free Driving and that, alongside Universal Hands-Free, the update introduces several additional software upgrades that help the vehicle respond dynamically to traffic conditions. That suggests refinements in how the truck handles cut-ins, varying speeds, and lane changes, all of which are critical to making hands-free driving feel natural rather than robotic.
The same reporting emphasizes that these changes arrive Alongside Universal Hands-Free, not as a separate future promise. I read that as Rivian trying to deliver a cohesive package: expanded coverage, smarter behavior in traffic, and a user interface that keeps the driver informed without overwhelming them. It is a reminder that the value of a system like Universal Hands-Free depends as much on the surrounding software polish as on the core ability to steer and maintain speed.
Gen 2 owners emerge as the clear winners
Across all of these changes, a pattern is clear: Gen 2 vehicles are at the center of Rivian’s strategy. The company’s own description of Gen 2 trucks and SUVs highlights that they are the ones gaining Hands-free assisted driving in more places, with the hardware and software stack tuned for this level of automation. That focus is echoed in coverage that notes Universal Hands-Free is rolling out as part of 2025.46 specifically for Gen 2, reinforcing that the newest platform is where Rivian is concentrating its most advanced features.
At the same time, the broader reporting on The Latest Rivians Just Got Universal Hands-Free and a Bunch Of Other Updates makes it clear that this is a generational dividing line. Earlier vehicles still benefit from ongoing software support, but the full promise of Universal Hands-Free, the most flexible Driver Display Now Customizable options, and the tightest Digital Key integration are framed as perks of the latest hardware. From my perspective, that is both a reward for new buyers and a nudge to existing owners that the biggest leaps in capability will track with Rivian’s platform cycles.
Why this update matters in the broader EV landscape
Viewed in isolation, Universal Hands-Free and the 2025.46 update are impressive quality-of-life upgrades for Rivian owners. In the context of the wider EV market, they are something more: a signal that Rivian intends to compete directly with the most advanced driver-assistance offerings on the road. By delivering Rivian Expands Hands-Free Driving Coverage by 24x, layering in a robust Digital Key system, and giving drivers more control over their displays, the company is closing gaps with established players while carving out its own take on long-distance automation.
I see this as a pivotal moment for the brand. The combination of Universal Hands-Free, a customizable cockpit, and deep smartphone integration turns new Rivians into rolling showcases for what over-the-air software can do, long after the truck leaves the factory. With Rivian making Universal Hands-Free a core part of its identity, and with Dec releases like 2025.46 tying together safety, convenience, and user experience, the company is betting that software-defined driving will be as important to its future as battery range or off-road capability.
More from MorningOverview