A Newly Published Rivian Patent
Automotive patents don’t usually guarantee a new product is around the corner, but they do offer a window (pun intended) into what carmakers are working on behind the scenes. Most of the time, these filings are about staking a claim on an idea that might never see the light of day. Still, when a patent gets approved, it’s a hint at the direction a company is considering.
That said, Rivian’s latest patent piqued our attention. Approved by the US Patent and Trademark Office in January 2026 (patent no. 12522055, published January 13, 2026, if you want to check), the filing details a powered rear closure system that reimagines how a tailgate or liftgate could function on a future Rivian model.
USPTO
Powered Tailgate With a Familiar Twist
Rivian’s patent focuses on a multi-piece rear tailgate. Rather than a single panel that swings open, Rivian’s setup lets different sections move on their own. The standout feature is the upper glass, which can open by itself or together with the main tailgate, all powered by electric motors and latches.
Yes, we know, this isn’t a brand-new idea. The current Toyota Land Cruiser already lets you open the rear glass separately – a feature owners like for quick loading or when space is tight. Where Rivian changes things up is by making the whole system powered, taking away the manual step, and adding more ways to open it.
If it ever reaches production, this could translate into easier cargo access, more flexibility for outdoor gear, and smoother day-to-day usability. Given Rivian’s product lineup, the most likely candidate for such a system would be a future SUV, possibly a facelifted Rivian R1S, rather than its pickup.
USPTO
Buttons Make a Quiet Comeback
The patent also points to changes inside the cabin. The drawings show physical buttons, knobs, and switches alongside the main touchscreen. That’s a noticeable change for a brand that’s built its interiors around clean, screen-heavy layouts.
There’s a growing sense in the industry that touch-only controls can be a hassle when you’re actually driving. Kia, for example, has made a point of keeping physical controls for the basics, saying that real-world usability matters more than a super-minimal look. Rivian’s patent hints that they might be coming to the same conclusion.
It’s worth repeating: patents are about protecting ideas, not guaranteeing new features. What’s described here could change, evolve, or never make it to a showroom. But if Rivian does move forward, a smarter tailgate and more physical controls would be a quiet but important change to its EVs.
USPTO
