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Rivian patent hints at real-time brake wear monitoring system using driver profiles
Rivian’s attention to detail on its all-electric vehicles is laudable, and a recent patent application by the outdoor adventure company for monitoring brake wear continues that theme. In an application titled “Methods, Systems, and Media for Non-Contact Brake Pad Wear Determination”, a method of estimating the wear on individual breaks via computer algorithms is described. Once calculated, the information is then made available to drivers for planning purposes via the infotainment screen on the R1T pickup truck and R1S SUV. The application published on August 1, 2019 under US Patent Publication No. 2019/0234475.
The background of Rivian’s application stated the following reasons why the invention is needed:
“Current approaches for determining brake pad wear…tend to merely indicate when brake pads are fully worn, for example, using a brake pad indicator that causes the brakes to squeal when the indicator contacts the brake disc or that causes an indication on a dashboard of the vehicle to be presented. It may be useful for a driver to know a current wear condition of the brake pads before the brake pads are fully worn, for example, to plan for vehicle maintenance. However, it can be difficult to determine a current wear of the brake pads.”
While not an official reason listed on the patent, one could also assume brake squealing as an annoying sound in itself would also merit the invention’s usefulness as a reliable preventative.
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- Rivian brake-monitoring patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
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- Rivian brake-monitoring patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
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- Rivian brake-monitoring patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
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- Rivian brake-monitoring patent application. | Image: Rivian/USPTO
Overall, Rivian’s application calculates the amount of wear on its vehicles’ brakes by comparing data points gathered from two braking events. The amount of pressure applied plus the distance traveled at two different intervals is collected, then compared to a brake database, and an estimate of the mileage left before a change is needed is provided to the driver. The calculation can also include the driver’s braking history to more accurately reflect the mileage. In other words, if you’re a bit rough on the brake pedal, Rivian’s software will take that into account and probably shorten the mileage you have left before needing replacement parts compared to someone that drives…differently. Here’s the formal language for this ability:
“In some embodiments, the method further comprises associating a braking profile with an operator of the vehicle, wherein the indication of the wear amount of the brake pad includes a number of miles until the brake pad requires replacement that is estimated based on the associated braking profile.”
The method described in the claims of the application that calculate the wear on the brakes indicates a process initiated by the driver, i.e., the driver initiates a brake wear test on the center touchscreen and uses the brakes at two intervals as instructed by the vehicle’s computer to determine the wear percentage. However, the description of the application indicates that the brake testing can also happen in real-time during normal operation. The formal language for this reads as follows:
“…In some embodiments, [the testing] process…can receive a group of brake caliper measurements and corresponding brake pedal travel distances…during application of the brake pedal during normal operation of the vehicle…Additionally, in some such embodiments, [the testing] process can present indications of brake pad wear at any suitable time, such as a next time the vehicle is turned on, and/or at any other suitable time.”
This application is yet the latest nod towards Rivian’s development of a comfortable and luxury driving experience for its vehicle owners. The car maker’s branding as an outdoor electric adventure company really seems to have embraced its mission to get people outside exploring more by making the experience as convenient as possible. Whether it’s ample storage capacity, swapping out cargo modules, extending battery range with a digital jerry can, a portable kitchen built specifically for the R1T pickup truck, or now, being able to easily plan ahead for basic vehicle maintenance by checking a screen, Rivian is continuing its march against barriers to enjoying nature anywhere.
There’s a new phrase that seems to be developing based off of an old one about willpower: “Where there’s a Rivian, there’s a way.”
Elon Musk
Elon Musk handed Grok something no other AI company can get their hands on
Elon Musk says SpaceX will feed engineering data into Grok’s next model, avoiding restricted material.
Elon Musk said Tuesday that SpaceX will feed its internal engineering data into the next major training run for Grok, the AI model now folded into SpaceX following February’s merger. In a post on X, Musk wrote that SpaceX’s “massive corpus of world-class engineering data,” excluding anything restricted under U.S. arms export law, will be added during supplemental training of what he called the “2T run,” a reference to a roughly two trillion parameter model that would nearly double the parameters behind the latest Grok 4.5 that’s rolling out.
SpaceX’s massive corpus of world-class engineering data (excluding material blocked by ITAR) will be added during supplemental training of the 2T run.
This will dramatically improve Grok’s engineering capabilities. https://t.co/BbQEViFByn
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 21, 2026
The excluded material that Musk is referring to would fall under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which restricts export of technical data tied to defense and space hardware. That likely rules out propulsion specifics for Merlin and Raptor engines along with guidance and control details for SpaceX’s launch vehicles, but leaves manufacturing knowledge, materials science, and Starlink hardware design on the table.
The announcement extends a pattern that has been building since SpaceX’s Nasdaq debut in June, when the company went public with Grok and xAI’s Colossus supercomputer folded into the pitch to investors.
Days after that listing, SpaceX closed its $60 billion all stock acquisition of coding startup Cursor, giving xAI both enterprise software distribution and a stream of real world developer data to train on. Grok 4.5 launched July 8 running partly on that Cursor training data, with Musk describing it as roughly comparable to Anthropic’s Opus 4.7 but faster and cheaper to run.
Feeding SpaceX’s own engineering data into the next AI model follows the same logic Musk has applied across xAI’s sister companies. Tesla supplies real world driving data and manufacturing expertise, X supplies conversational data, and now SpaceX supplies aerospace engineering data built up since 2002.
Musk did not give a release date for the upcoming AI model, referred to elsewhere as Grok 4.6. He has said the two trillion parameter run is in its final training phase and expected to wrap this week.
Tesla has extended its Bay Area ride-hailing service to include pickups and drop-offs at San Francisco International Airport (SFO). The update, shared via the company’s official channels on July 21, allows users in the region to request rides directly to and from one of California’s busiest airports.
The expansion builds on Tesla’s secured limousine permit for SFO operations. Public records show the permit became effective March 20, 2026, and remains active through January 31, 2027. Tesla vehicles operating the service now display authorized limousine permits issued by the City and County of San Francisco.
Our Bay Area rideshare service now goes to SFO ✈️
— Tesla AI (@Tesla_AI) July 21, 2026
Tesla’s ride-hailing program in California relies on Model Y vehicles equipped with Full Self-Driving (Supervised) technology. Human safety drivers remain present in compliance with state regulations, distinguishing the service from fully driverless operations.
The Bay Area geofence covers a broad area spanning north of San Francisco to south of San Jose, offering extensive connectivity across the region.
UPDATE: Elon Musk reveals why Tesla didn’t say ‘Robotaxi’ upon California launch
This SFO addition follows earlier progress at other Bay Area airports. Tesla previously expanded service to San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) in late 2025. The company had engaged with SFO, SJC, and Oakland International Airport officials as early as September 2025 to secure necessary approvals for passenger transport.
The service provides a new option for travelers seeking electric, app-based transportation integrated with Tesla’s ecosystem. Rides are booked through Tesla’s dedicated ride-hailing application, which handles matching, routing, and payments. Pricing follows standard ride-hailing models, with potential adjustments based on distance, time, and demand.
Tesla’s California ride-hailing program launched in July 2025 with an initial invite-only rollout in the Bay Area. It started alongside operations in Austin, Texas, marking the company’s second major U.S. market.
The Bay Area remains a primary focus in California, with service centered on high-demand corridors connecting residential, commercial, and now major transportation hubs. This latest airport integration represents a practical step in Tesla’s broader mobility ambitions within the state.
Tesla has officially revealed its 2026 Summer Update, which comes with a variety of crazy new features, including Navigation fixes that owners have been wanting for months.
Tesla routinely releases a larger update with the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter updates, where it ships a variety of new features, bug fixes, and other additions to customer cars.
The 2026 Spring Update featured things like “Hey Grok” voice assistance, a redesigned self-driving app, Unreal Engine visual upgrades, and more.
🚨 TESLA’S SUMMER UPDATE FOR 2026 IS HERE:
Featuring:
✅ Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App
✅ Caraoke with Scoring
✅ Automatic Navigation
✅ Preferred Routes
✅ Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App
✅ Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App
✅ Rear Display Lock
✅ Other Improvements
🔌… https://t.co/C9IW3egEhH— TESLARATI (@Teslarati) July 21, 2026
Tesla’s Summer Release has about ten new features; we’ll show you each and detail them below:
New Grok Voice Commands
“Grok can now make phone calls, search and play music, adjust climate, open the glovebox, and answer questions about your Tesla.”
Self-Driving Stats in Mobile App
“View and share self-driving stats from the mobile app.”
Caraoke With Scoring
“Caraoke now scores your singing while in Park. High scores are saved to your Tesla profile.”
Automatic Navigation
“Automatic Navigation now adapts to your routine.
In addition to Home, Work, and upcoming calendar events, your vehicle can now suggest and route to places you visit regularly – like a school drop-off on the way to work, or the gym on the way home.”
Preferred Routes
“For a more personalized experience, navigation now prioritizes routes that you’ve taken before”
Set Arrival Energy from Mobile App
“Set your desired Arrival Energy from your phone.”
Send Custom Wraps from Mobile App
“Skip the USB drive and upload a custom wrap of your car from the mobile app. Instructions for creating a custom wrap here: https://github.com/teslamotors/custom-wraps.”
Rear Display Lock
“Kids can watch content on the rear screen, but only the front row can control it through the rear screen app.”
Other Improvements
- Find Superchargers by name when searching for a destination
- Add Apple Music songs to queue from search and artist page
- Set your preferred zoom level for the Self-Driving visualization
- Intro animations for new Model 3 and Y
Elon Musk handed Grok something no other AI company can get their hands on
Tesla expands ridesharing service in California to new hotspot
