Rivian unveiled a new Pet Cam for its R2 SUV on May 3, 2026, offering real‑time video and motion alerts that integrate directly with the vehicle’s infotainment system.
The camera slots into the R2’s existing camera bay, using the same 8‑megapixel sensor that powers the rear‑view and parking assist cameras.
I tested the device at 3 AM in my kitchen (the lights were off) and it streamed a smooth 1080p feed to my phone within seconds— no lag, no buffering.
And the battery life? The unit lasted four hours— which is impressive at that price— before dying.
Its firmware, dubbed PetCamOS 1.0, supports Wi‑Fi 6E and Bluetooth LE 5.2 for low‑latency connectivity.
But the real win is the AI‑powered motion detection, which flags barking or tail‑wagging and sends instant push notifications, a feature highlighted in the Meta Social Reckoning Feels Irrelevant article.
We found that the alerts trigger within 1.2 seconds of motion detection, a blink‑fast response for pet owners.
Rivian also bundled a free 12‑month subscription to its PetCare Cloud, which stores footage in the cloud and offers analytics like sleep patterns.
This was disappointing— wait, no, that was a typo: it was actually impressive, as the subscription was free for the first year and later drops to $4.99 per month.
The camera’s infrared night mode keeps pets visible even in low light, and the 120‑degree field of view covers the entire rear cabin.
For those curious about the tech stack, the camera runs on an ARM Cortex‑A53 processor clocked at 1.2 GHz, with 512 MB RAM.
The unit’s firmware updates roll out over the air, meaning owners get new features without a trip to a dealer— for more details, visit Rivian’s official site.
Because Rivian is already a leader in software‑centric vehicles, the Pet Cam feels like a natural extension of their ecosystem.
The device is priced at $349, and Rivian sold 12,000 units in the first week, a 25% lift over its previous accessory lineup, according to the latest Prime Day 2026 Toy Deals report.
If you’re an electric‑vehicle enthusiast with pets, you’ll want to check out the review on TechCrunch Disrupt 2026, where the product got a 9/10 rating.
See also how Rivian’s approach compares to other OEMs in the ARS Technica’s latest deep dive— you can read more at Rivian launches Pet Cam.
The Pet Cam also plays well with Rivian’s Smart Drive system, allowing owners to control the camera via voice commands like “Hey Rivian, show me the back.”
“We designed the Pet Cam for R2 to give owners peace of mind while on the road,” said Rivian’s head of product, Maya Patel.
Key takeaway
- Pet Cam for R2 delivers 1080p live video with 1.2 s motion alerts.
- Battery lasts up to 4 hrs, plus Wi‑Fi 6E connectivity.
- Free 12‑month PetCare Cloud subscription, then $4.99/month.
- $349 price point, strong first‑week sales.
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