# In-Car Vehicle Pet Cameras Rivian Puts a Live Cabin View on the R2 Owner's Phone By Adam Harrie | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-10-10 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/in-car-vehicle-pet-cameras References: [engadget](https://www.engadget.com/2280753/rivian-r2-owners-can-now-put-a-live-pet-cam-on-their-phones-lockscreen)  Rivian is making the R2 a better pet-waiting car with a '[Pet Cam](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phone-thermal-cameras)' that displays a cabin view on a phone's lock screen after the 2026.36 software update. That gives [pet parents](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vehiclerelated-pet-accessories) a quick way to check on an animal left inside, while the high-definition interior camera can still be opened for a full livestream in the Rivian app. The same feed can appear as refreshed snapshots on the app dashboard when a live view is more than needed. You can also stop it from the vehicle's main display. Rivian is also moving 'Pet Mode' controls into the app, with a confirmation step to reduce accidental changes. Those app-based Pet Mode controls will be available across all Rivian models, not just the R2. The R2 update also adds 'Rivian Assistant,' the [AI voice helper](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/petkit) already used in R1 vehicles for navigation, entertainment and climate tasks. Image Credit: Rivian ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.3/10 - Popularity: 28% | Activity: 31% | Freshness: 100% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Remote Pet Monitoring:** Connected cabin cameras create new value in pet-friendly mobility by turning parked vehicles into supervised, climate-aware waiting spaces. - **App-controlled Vehicle Comfort:** Mobile-first controls for Pet Mode signal a broader shift toward managing specialized in-car environments without needing physical access to the vehicle. - **AI-enhanced Cabin Interfaces:** Voice assistants embedded in vehicle systems open opportunities for more intuitive control over navigation, entertainment, climate, and occupant-focused features. ### Where This Applies - **Electric Vehicles:** Software-defined EV platforms can differentiate through lifestyle features that extend vehicle utility beyond driving. - **Pet Technology:** Real-time visibility into pets inside cars expands the market for connected safety, monitoring, and reassurance tools. - **Automotive Software:** Over-the-air updates and app integrations are reshaping vehicles into continually evolving digital service platforms. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Affordable Electric Compact SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rivian-r.md) - [Blind Spot-Monitoring Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dezl-dualview.md) - [Self-Editing Pet Companion Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-vex.md) - [Customizable Multi-Camera Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vehicle-coverage-dash-cams.md) - [AI-Powered Pet-Specific Smartphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aipowered-smartphone.md) - [Wearable Pet Tracking Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-pet-tracking-cameras.md) - [Camera-Equipped Smart Pet Feeders](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/heritage-view-pet-feeder.md) - [Pet Care Coordination Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shared-care-logs.md) - [Hands-Free Driving Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rivian-universal-handsfree.md)