Rivian recently published a video about the new Gear Guard system for its electric pickup truck, the R1T. The new system gives the truck the ability to record video if people get too close. It then sends an alert to the owner’s phone if something happens that’s substantial enough to set off the alarm system. 

This new Gear Guard system is a suite of features working together to provide many useful features. While many will focus on the system as a theft prevention measure, it brings many incredible benefits to the table, including outdoor applications.

The 2022 Rivian R1T electric pickup truck

The all-new Rivian R1T is an electric pickup truck that’s created a lot of excitement in the auto industry. The R1T has athletic acceleration, impressive off-roading chops, and innovative design features. However, keep in mind, it’s expensive. According to Rivian, the electric truck starts at just over $67,000, although Car and Driver lists a higher price and notes that the biggest battery pack costs $10,000. 

This exciting EV truck from the new American startup Rivian will offer 300 miles of driving range and such powerful acceleration that it earned an Editors’ Choice award from Car and Driver. It has a power output of up to 835 horsepower and goes from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.3 seconds.

It’s the first electric pickup produced, but it will be closely followed by others like Ford F-150 Lightning and the GMC Hummer EV SUT. For dimensions, it’s 215.6 inches long and only available as a crew cab. Originally, a Launch Edition was offered, but that model sold out a while back. The Adventure model is the only one available for the 2022 model year. 

Gear Guard and its possible outdoor applications

The new Gear Guard monitoring system of the Rivian R1T uses five of the built-in cameras to record a 360-degree view if someone is within a foot of the truck. The resulting videos are kept in the truck’s internal storage system, available for playback at a later time for your review.

According to The Verge, the automatically recorded videos are deleted by the system after “several days.” You can star specific videos to retain them and transfer them onto a USB-C drive. They explain that the owner’s manual details specific situations that will trigger the system and send alerts on the Rivian app. Situations include vehicle tilting, movement in the cabin, and doors opening.

Like Tesla’s Sentry Mode, the Gear Guard system will attempt to inform people they’re being recorded with a notification on the infotainment screen. Instead of a Sauron-like eye, you get a Yeti-type creature wearing a vest and headband holding what appears to be a camera. Obviously, Rivian is going for a less aggressive vibe here.

Other great features of the Rivian R1T

The new 2022 Rivian R1T offers other great features within Gear Guard and beyond it. 

The Gear Guard cable is handy for locking up bikes or other gear on the truck’s roof rack or in its bed. It plugs into a port in the bed and locks securely when the doors are locked. When the Gear Guard system is activated, it will record anyone trying to get at your locked-down items. One camera has a view of the bed.

Elsewhere, the truck has a collapsible and expandable crossbar system that lets you mount gear above the bed and cabin. You also get an air compressor and three 110-volt outlets.

There’s ample trunk space under the front hood and another large storage space between the cab and the bed. There’s also an in-bed compartment you can lock. Rivian claims there are 12 cubic feet of lockage storage. If you still need space to store your gear, there’s also unique under-bed storage space. It provides easy access to a spare tire or other items you want to protect from the elements. It can be used as an ice chest as well.