(Credit: Rivian)In a world full of voice-activated AI assistants, it's only natural that Rivian would have its own. The premium EV maker has started rolling out its new "Hey Rivian" assistant to R1T and R1S owners via an over-the-air software update, with support for the forthcoming R2 planned as well.According to Rivian, the assistant runs on the Rivian Unified Intelligence platform, which incorporates conversational AI into everyday vehicle functions and services. Drivers can trigger the assistant by saying "Hey Rivian" or by pressing a control on the steering wheel, after which they can issue prompts in natural language.The assistant can control quite a few in-car functions, including changing drive modes, adjusting ride height, setting climate controls, and activating or deactivating seat warmers. Drivers can open the frunk, call up cameras, manage navigation, and control media playback using their voice, and the assistant can offer route details, such as range estimates on arrival. The system also reads and summarizes text messages and can help compose replies.AdvertisementAdvertisementRivian says it trained the assistant on Rivian's own documentation, so it can answer many "how do I" questions about each vehicle and explain features, warnings, and settings. It also ties into Google Calendar, which lets the assistant check schedules, adjust meeting times, and plan routes to appointments via voice prompts. Customers can manage privacy controls directly in the car, including turning off the "Hey Rivian" wake phrase and limiting how personal context is used.As with everything, though, there's a catch: Access to the assistant requires a Rivian Connect+ subscription, which costs $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year.