Rivian has patented a new automatic driving assist feature for its electric SUV and truck models that should help them stay above ground on challenging terrain.
The new feature is dubbed the K-turn, and it utilizes the same basic principles as the Tank Turn patented a while ago (watch the short vid if you missed it). The Tank Turn uses a quartet of electric motors mounted one per wheel to enable the car to turn at the spot with barely any forward movement. The main downside of this maneuver is, you risk getting stuck in sand or loose earth.
This is what K-turn aims to address. The mode kicks in automatically and starts rotating the rear wheels in the opposite direction. As a last resort, it may even lock the rear axle completely and let the powerful EV pull itself out of the trap using only its front wheels.