Rivian patent filings trace at diffuser, ‘devices,’ and new structure

American EV automaker Rivian submitted a slew of patent functions with the USPTO this week, together with a deployable rear diffuser mechanism to regulate a automobile’s drag and a few software program programs associated to infotainment, navigation, and video playback.

Okay, with Rivian information like this (on a Friday afternoon no much less), we simply wish to dig proper into to the juicy, patent-clad particulars. And we’ll… however first, we’ve got to have the olbigatory dialog round patents and patent filings.

Just as a result of it was submitted to the USPTO doesn’t imply it’ll EVER come to fruition. Automakers like Rivian submit lots of of patent functions to guard potential IP. For instance, we’ve lined patent filings for Rivian’s revamped Camp Kitchen, and “Front Dig Mode,” amongst different rumored tech.

Many of those designs won’t ever be extra spotlighted than these submitted patent pages or our ensuing protection. That mentioned, this spherical might be totally different! This week, Rivian submitted a number of patent functions to the USPTO alongside some cool photographs. Let’s begin with the deployable diffuser.

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Breaking down Rivian’s newest patent filings

The picture above is from patent software US 12,420,876 В2, submitted by Rivian on September 23, 2025. It describes a rear diffuser that may routinely deploy from the rear of a automobile and use sensors to regulate itself and have an effect on drag. Per the patent submitting’s summary:

The system can embrace a diffuser disposed at a rear of a automobile. A aspect of the diffuser could be positioned to face the earth. The system can embrace an actuator coupled with the diffuser and configured to deploy the diffuser to regulate drag on the automobile. The system can embrace a sensor configured to detect an impediment. The system can embrace a number of processors which can be in communication with the sensor and the actuator. The a number of processors could be configured to establish a mode of operation of the automobile. The a number of processors could be configured to find out, primarily based on enter from the sensor and the mode of operation, a place to which to maneuver the diffuser. The a number of processors could be configured to transmit a command to the actuator to maneuver the diffuser to the place.

On September 25, 2025, Rivian submitted three extra patent functions, together with software program detailed in US 2025/0297863 A1 that allows real-time contextual suggestions to Rivian’s navigation system. As you’ll be able to see within the photographs above, the software program allows customers to faucet via a collection of menus to report points with a given route. In the instance above, the specified vacation spot was within the incorrect location (fig. 48).

The system then acknowledges that submitted suggestions, so it hopefully doesn’t occur to the following driver utilizing that route (fig. 49). Additionally, the patent describes grades for a charger session on an A to F scale, which drivers can submit in real-time following a go to.

Rivian additionally filed US 2025/0296443 A1, which showcases a “Visual Gadget Management System” or VGMS for brief. The system focuses on video playback and metadata shows on the infotainment display. Per the patent, the system permits metadata to be captured alongside video footage from the Rivian automobile’s cameras within the type of an MP4, that means house owners can entry coinciding drive information metrics tied to the automobile in the course of the recording.

From the picture above, it seems that Rivian house owners would be capable to customise what “gadgets” they need on show, just like widgets on iOS. The featured picture of El Capitan additionally comes from the identical Rivian patent submitting, hinting that the system may act as a kind of tour information in real-time by displaying landmarks and different information metrics on the infotainment display.

Last however not least, Rivian submitted a 3rd patent software for a BEV structure design without any low-voltage batteries. This would alleviate the necessity for an EV’s 12V battery to energy particular modules—dated tech that has affected the power of a number of EVs throughout a number of manufacturers to begin up successfully. I drive an R1S and not too long ago had my 12V battery changed resulting from a recall. This design (which is much too advanced and crammed with jargon for me to know totally) would alleviate that reliance.

That’s all for now. Do with that info what you’ll, however take it with a grain of salt. At the very least, it’s cool to dream about, and if Rivian does enact one in all these patents into its EVs, you’ll be capable to say you bear in mind whenever you first heard about it.

If you haven’t ridden in a Rivian but, I extremely suggest you achieve this, so you’ll be able to perceive what we’re speaking about. Schedule a test drive today.