Rivian Receives Patent for Roof Rail Lighting System

Rivian has filed two patent applications for integrated lighting on the roof rails of electric pickup trucks and SUVs.

The two applications show slightly different versions of a lighting system that would be part of a roof crossbar typically used to secure cargo. The accompanying drawings show a pickup truck and SUV similar to the current Rivian R1T and R1S, respectively.

The first application, published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on January 11 and filed on September 12, 2022, has a fairly conventional looking crossbar with lights that can project forward, sideways, and rearward of the vehicle. The crossbar incorporates electrical connections that allow the vehicle's battery pack to power the lights.

According to Livian, these lights can be used for a variety of purposes. The light on the back of the rearmost crossbar can be used as an additional brake light, while the lights on the ends of the front or rear crossbars can be used as direction indicators. The lights can also be turned on in conjunction with the vehicle's unlocking sequence, just as headlights and taillights are temporarily turned on when the vehicle is unlocked.

The second application has the same publication date and filing date as the first, but the configuration of the lights is different. Here, it takes the form of a spotlight that specifically illuminates the bottom of the incline. The lights automatically turn on when the vehicle reaches a certain downhill angle to help maintain forward visibility.

It is unclear whether any form of Rivian's roof rail lighting system will make it to production vehicles, but it would not be surprising to see such a feature in a future update of Rivian's R1 model. The company also plans to launch a more affordable R2 series this year, but production is slated to begin in 2026.