Rivian's Revolutionary Vehicle Electronics: From Gen 1 to Gen 2

Rivian's Leap Forward in Vehicle Electronics

Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer, has made significant strides in advancing their vehicle electronics from their first generation (Gen 1) to their second generation (Gen 2) architecture. This article delves into the revolutionary changes implemented by Rivian's electrical hardware team, highlighting the improvements in efficiency, performance, and overall vehicle design.

The Evolution from Gen 1 to Gen 2

Consolidating Electronic Control Units (ECUs)

One of the most significant changes in Rivian's Gen 2 architecture is the dramatic reduction in the number of Electronic Control Units (ECUs). In the Gen 1 design, there were 17 unique ECUs spread throughout the vehicle. The Gen 2 design has consolidated these down to just 7 ECUs, marking a substantial simplification of the vehicle's electronic architecture.

This consolidation was achieved through the implementation of zonal controllers. The Gen 2 design features three main zonal controllers:

1. West Zone Controller
2. East Zone Controller
3. South Zone Controller

These zonal controllers manage all the input/output (I/O) operations for their respective areas of the vehicle. This approach allows for more efficient wiring and better organization of the vehicle's electronic systems.

Reduction in Wiring

The move to a zonal architecture has resulted in a significant reduction in wiring throughout the vehicle. In the Gen 1 design, there was approximately 1.6 miles of wiring. The Gen 2 design has eliminated over a mile of this wiring, resulting in several benefits:

• Reduced vehicle weight (approximately 44 pounds or 20 kilograms less)
• Improved reliability due to fewer connection points
• Easier assembly and maintenance
• Cost reduction in materials and labor

One of the most notable examples of this reduction is the elimination of the entire dash harness in the Gen 2 design. This bulky and complex wiring bundle, which was a significant source of weight and potential reliability issues in the Gen 1 design, has been completely removed.

Upgrading Computing Power

While Rivian has simplified many aspects of their electronic architecture, they have significantly upgraded the computing power in their Gen 2 vehicles. The new design features a powerful computer system that combines autonomy and infotainment functions.

The autonomy side of this computer system includes:

• Two dual NVIDIA Orin processors
• Liquid cooling system for efficient heat management
• Approximately 250 TOPS (Tera Operations Per Second) of computing power

This represents a tenfold increase in computing power compared to the Gen 1 design. The new system consolidates functions that were previously spread across multiple ECUs into a single, more powerful unit.

Advancements in Sensor Technology

Multi-Modal Sensor Approach

Rivian has opted for a multi-modal sensor approach in their Gen 2 vehicles, believing that this provides more robust and reliable performance across various driving conditions. Their sensor suite includes:

• Cameras: High-resolution 8-megapixel cameras for improved clarity and low-light performance
• Radar: Five radar units (four corner radars and one center front imaging radar)

This approach differs from some competitors who have moved away from radar in favor of camera-only systems. Rivian believes that the combination of different sensor types provides better redundancy and performance in challenging conditions.

Camera Improvements

Rivian has made significant improvements to their camera systems in the Gen 2 design:

• Increased resolution to 8 megapixels for front-facing cameras
• Improved low-light performance
• Enhanced high dynamic range (HDR) capabilities
• LED flicker mitigation to prevent issues with capturing LED light sources (e.g., traffic lights)

These improvements result in clearer, more reliable visual data for the vehicle's autonomy systems.

The Future of Vehicle Electronics

Rivian's advancements in their Gen 2 architecture provide insights into the future of vehicle electronics:

1. Continued consolidation of ECUs and simplification of wiring harnesses
2. Increased computing power to support advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and autonomous driving features
3. Improved sensor technology for better environmental awareness
4. Greater emphasis on software-defined vehicle architectures

As vehicles become more electrified and autonomous, we can expect to see further innovations in areas such as:

• Wireless communication between vehicle systems
• Integration of artificial intelligence for real-time decision making
• Enhanced cybersecurity measures to protect against potential threats

Conclusion

Rivian's transition from their Gen 1 to Gen 2 vehicle electronics architecture represents a significant leap forward in automotive design. By consolidating ECUs, reducing wiring, and upgrading computing power, Rivian has created a more efficient, reliable, and capable electronic system for their vehicles.

These advancements not only improve the performance and reliability of Rivian's vehicles but also pave the way for future innovations in the automotive industry. As electric and autonomous vehicles continue to evolve, we can expect to see more manufacturers following Rivian's lead in simplifying and enhancing their vehicle electronics.

The lessons learned from Rivian's approach could have far-reaching implications for the entire automotive industry, potentially influencing how other manufacturers design and implement their vehicle electronic systems in the years to come.

Article created from: https://youtu.be/zlpTQePnfNw?feature=shared