Rivian explores potential deployable roof top canopies

Rivian could add a deployable roof top canopy to the list of accessories for evs if the recent patent application is any indication.

The automaker filed a patent application entitled "Canopy with Deployable Structure" with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in early 2023.The application was published by the USPTO on 5/14.

According to the application, the canopy unfolds from a container attached to the roof rack. The tubular arm extends from this container, which is inflated with the aid of compressed air. The fabric is stretched over the arms and acts as a kind of skeletal structure, forming a canopy, like an umbrella.

The inflatable tubes that form the structure of the canopy can be made of a variety of materials, such as plastic, nylon, rubber and latex, according to Rivian, they are designed to support the canopy under as much as 30 inches of snow or wind speeds of up to 6mph. They can also be self-lubricating or hydrophobic, Rivian claims.

This is all done automatically, saving the effort required to manually deploy the vehicle canopy, Rivian notes in the application. The automaker also claims that the design saves the wear and tear associated with unpacking and storing conventional canopies.

Such a canopy can complement accessories such as rooftop tents and camping kitchens already available on the Livian Ev. Recent patent applications also point to more add-ons, such as tailgate workbench and bed rack systems for pickup trucks and integrated winches that can be controlled from the vehicle's touchscreen.