Rivian May Incorporate Modular Truck Beds
With both Ram and GMC showcasing multifunctional tailgates this past year, versatile pickup configurations appear to be the segment’s hot new trend for 2019.
It’s a trend that’s likely to continue, and American EV manufacturer Rivian has something even more ambitious in the early stages of development. According to a patent published the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office last month, the company has worked up a set of designs showing a pickup (presumably the R1T) equipped with reconfigurable bed modules. By using a flatbed configuration as the base setup, Rivian can simply tack on different modules to transform the rear for whatever job its owner needs it for.
The filing refers to the modular setup as “ Systems and Methods for reconfigurable electric vehicles” and specifies that the “removable structural models include a removable recreation module; a removable delivery module; a removable open box utility module; a removable flat bed support module; and a removable side rail module.”
RivianForums put together a series of stellar images of what these modifications might look like on the R1T.
All modules would be affixed through a latching system that’s also linked to the vehicle’s on-board computer. Sensors would identify what configuration a user is running, allowing the computer to adjust the vehicle’s maximum acceleration, braking sensitivity, steering ratio, nominal suspension height, and ride firmness. Due to Rivian’s stated commitment to fleet operators, the hypothetical system would also allow for shared vehicles to also share modules.
This may be little more than an idea at present. If Rivian can pull it off, however, it would set its electric pickup even further apart from industry mainstays — not that 754 electric horsepower wasn’t a good place to start.
[Image: Rivian]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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I like this idea very much.
It is just a patent it does not mean it goes into production anytime soon. Apple also patented lot of stuff so it can sue Samsung later. And Ford too.