Rivian is making it easier for drivers to check on their pets when stepping away from their vehicles. The electric automaker has introduced Pet Cam for the upcoming Rivian R2, letting owners view a live, full-color feed of the cabin from their phones, alongside new remote controls for its existing Pet Comfort Mode.

Announced on October 7, 2026, Pet Cam arrives as part of Rivian’s 2026.36 software update. The feature uses the R2’s high-definition RGB interior camera to give owners a way to see what their furry companions are up to without returning to the vehicle.

The update also brings improved Pet Mode controls to Rivian’s broader vehicle lineup, including the R1T pickup and R1S SUV, making the changes useful beyond the R2.

Pet Cam lets R2 owners check on pets from their phones

Pet Cam is designed for those everyday moments when drivers need to leave their pets in the vehicle briefly. Instead of relying solely on the vehicle’s climate controls, owners can use the Rivian mobile app to check the cabin visually.

The live video feed is accessible through the Gear Guard section of the Rivian app, with a real-time cabin temperature indicator displayed alongside the footage. That gives owners both a visual check on their pets and an indication of the conditions inside the vehicle.

For quicker checks, Rivian is also adding regularly refreshed cabin snapshots to the app dashboard and phone lock screen. Owners can glance at these still images without opening a full video stream, making it easier to confirm that their pets appear comfortable.

Rivian has included a privacy safeguard, too. Anyone sitting inside the vehicle can stop an active Pet Cam stream with a single tap on the main center display.

Pet Mode gets remote controls across Rivian’s lineup

Pet Cam is exclusive to the R2, but the accompanying Pet Comfort Mode improvements extend to the first- and second-generation R1T and R1S.

Previously, drivers needed to activate Pet Mode before leaving their vehicles. With the new update, they can turn it on remotely through the Rivian app if they forget to enable it before walking away. They can also switch it off through the paw icon in the app’s climate controls when they return.

The app asks drivers to confirm their choice when activating or deactivating Pet Mode. This extra step is intended to prevent accidental changes to cabin climate settings or leaving the system running longer than necessary.

There is one important distinction: the R1T and R1S receive the updated remote controls, but Rivian has not announced Pet Cam support for those vehicles. The live video feature is tied specifically to the R2’s interior camera.

Pet Cam also requires an active Rivian Connect+ subscription, according to the software update’s release notes. Rivian’s announcement does not specify a separate price for the feature.

Rivian Assistant also arrives on the R2

Pet Cam isn’t the only addition in software update 2026.36. Rivian is also bringing its Rivian Assistant voice assistant to the R2, extending a feature previously available on its R1 vehicles.

The assistant can handle vehicle-related requests involving climate settings, media and navigation, along with tasks such as retrieving destination weather, answering general knowledge questions and identifying music. Drivers can activate it using the steering wheel’s right Haptic Halo Wheel, the display’s assistant icon, or voice commands such as “Hey, Rivian” and “Okay, Rivian.”

Rivian says the 2026.36 over-the-air update is beginning to roll out to eligible R1 and R2 vehicles. Availability may vary by vehicle, so owners should check the Rivian app or their vehicle’s center display for update information.

For pet owners, the most meaningful change is straightforward: the R2 combines cabin climate management with a way to check on a pet remotely. The updated controls also make Rivian’s existing pet-friendly feature easier to use across its lineup, although Pet Mode and remote monitoring should not be treated as a substitute for responsible pet care.