Off-roading is one of those activities that asks a lot from both human and machine. It’s physically demanding, mentally taxing, and brutally honest. Get it right, and it’s deeply satisfying. Get it wrong, and you’re stuck, broken, or worse. For some, it’s a weekend escape. For folks like farmers, rescue teams, and those living in rural communities, it’s a necessity.
And it’s because of that wide spectrum that I genuinely don’t know how to feel about Rivian’s newly patented “virtual off-road coach.”
At its core, off-roading is about connection. You read the terrain, feel for grip, listen to what the machine is telling you, and make decisions in real time. There’s skill involved. Judgment. Experience. A bit of bravery. That’s the whole appeal. Whether you’re crawling rocks in a UTV, threading a trail on an ADV bike, or picking lines in a side-by-side, the fun comes from figuring it out yourself. It’s challenging, engaging, and yes, sometimes sketchy. And that's the whole point of it.
But here’s the other side of it. That exact challenge is also what keeps a lot of people away. Off-roading can be intimidating. One wrong move can mean body damage, mechanical failure, injury, or a very long walk back to civilization. So when Rivian proposes a system that could lower the barrier to entry, it’s hard to immediately dismiss it as “tech ruining the fun.” Maybe, just maybe, it opens the door for more people to experience the outdoors in a way they otherwise wouldn’t.
So what is this thing, really?
Despite how it sounds, Rivian’s system isn’t some AI overlord telling you how to drive. At least not yet. The patent describes a telemetry-driven trail guidance system, not an autonomous or self-learning one. In simple terms, Rivian vehicles would record extremely detailed data while driving off-road. We’re talking GPS location paired with vehicle behavior: ride height, drive mode, steering input, torque delivery, speed, suspension settings, even regen behavior.
That data gets tied to very specific locations along a trail. Another driver can then download that “trail run” and use it as a reference. As you approach the same obstacle, the vehicle can suggest—or automatically apply—the same settings used by the original driver. The system might display text prompts like “maintain speed,” “raise suspension,” or “stay left through this section.”
Think of it less as AI coaching you, and more like a digital trail notebook written by someone who’s already been there.
Importantly, the system is rules-based. It’s not learning, adapting, or making judgment calls on its own. It’s replaying decisions made by another human in the same vehicle, in the same place. That distinction matters, especially to off-road purists who hate the idea of software telling them how to drive.
And here’s where the powersports angle gets really interesting.
If you strip away the Rivian badge, this idea makes a ton of sense for ATVs and UTVs. Side-by-sides already rely heavily on electronic aids: drive modes, locking differentials, adjustable suspension, throttle maps. Many riders are still learning what those settings actually do. A telemetry-based guide could help newer riders understand how setup affects performance without removing control from their hands.
For UTVs used in work environments like farms, mines, search and rescue, this kind of tech could be genuinely useful. A recorded “safe route” through difficult terrain could reduce risk, equipment damage, and downtime. Even in recreational settings, it could help people build confidence before turning everything off and relying on feel.
Adventure motorcycles could be next, though that’s where things get spicy. Riding off-road on two wheels is all about balance, body position, and instinct. A system like this would need to stay firmly in “advisory” territory. No rider wants a screen barking instructions mid-climb. But post-ride analysis? Trail notes? Suggested setups for suspension and traction control? That’s not crazy.
Of course, none of this is guaranteed to make it into production. It’s a patent. Not a promise. Rivian could roll it out via an OTA update, reserve it for future models, or quietly shelve it forever. Still, the idea itself feels like a sign of where off-road tech could be headed—not autonomous, but increasingly augmented.
And that’s where I’m torn.
On one hand, off-roading is about freedom, self-reliance, and earned skill. On the other, making the outdoors more accessible isn’t inherently a bad thing. If this tech helps people get started, and lets them turn it off once they’re confident, maybe that’s OK.
So I’ll throw it back to you, dear reader. Would you want a virtual off-road coach in your truck, ATV, UTV, or bike? Or is this one of those things that sounds cool on paper but doesn’t belong on the trail?
