Starting on October 9 Rivian will push a free over-the-air software package that fuses the iconic Ghostbusters universe with the brand’s electric SUV lineup. The collaboration, secured through a partnership with Sony Pictures equips both the R1 and R2 with a dedicated Ghostbusters app, a red-toggled “Trick or Treat” mode, and a series of playful Easter eggs that appear across the vehicle’s displays, lights and sound system. The experience remains active until November 2 giving owners a month-long window to turn their daily driver into a mobile paranormal-investigation kit.
Beyond software, Rivian’s Special Projects team has built a physical homage to the 1984 film car – the Ecto-R1. The custom vehicle starts with the standard 22-inch Aero wheels which are brightened, fitted with white covers and paired with a glossy red graphic that sweeps the side panels. The signature “No-Ghost” logo adorns the hood and doors, while a bespoke roof rack houses functional sirens, spotlights, a radar dish and side tanks. All emergency lights were sourced from vintage stock and meticulously restored, ensuring the build feels authentic to the movie while retaining Rivian’s modern engineering language.
Ghostbusters app and in-vehicle experience
The new Ghostbusters app lives inside the driver display and can also be accessed from the Rivian mobile app. A single red toggle activates “Trick or Treat” mode, which instantly takes over the driver and rear screens, launches the iconic theme song, and synchronises exterior LEDs with a matching soundscape. Users can choose from five preset shows – Ecto-1Proton PackSlimerGhost Trap and Peter Venkman – each pairing a custom LED pattern with a unique audio clip. An optional “Motion Mode” lets the vehicle react automatically whenever a pedestrian passes, a feature perfect for a driveway full of trick-or-treaters.
Lock sounds receive a nostalgic overhaul as well. First-generation R1 owners can replace the standard chime with the classic Ecto-1 siren, while second-generation R1 and R2 drivers can swap among Ecto-1Proton Pack and a newly designed “chant” tone. The update also introduces a hidden scavenger hunt: clue cards within the app direct drivers to search for ghostly characters tucked inside familiar screens such as Drive Modes, Gear Guard settings, side-camera views and the Energy app. Discovering a character triggers a brief animation and a distinctive sound bite.
For moments when the vehicle is parked, Rivian adds a mini-arcade titled “Mallow Mash”. The center console presents a timed game in which players pop animated Mini-Puft marshmallow figures, offering a light-hearted diversion while waiting for a charge. Additionally, the vehicle’s voice assistant adopts an eerie tonal palette for the season, allowing owners to request light shows, read hunt clues or play specific sound effects hands-free.
Community rollout and the Ecto-R1 showcase
Physical manifestations of the Ghostbusters theme will appear at select Rivian retail locations across the United States. Fans can view the fully built Ecto-R1 in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco and the Meatpacking District of New York City. Each venue will host limited-edition merchandise and themed refreshments, creating a festive atmosphere that extends beyond the digital realm. The company has also announced appearances at the NYC Village Halloween Parade and a pop-up Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt stand in Los Angeles, further amplifying the celebration.
The marketing campaign enlists original Ghostbuster Bill Murray in a newly produced spot directed by Gil Kenan and produced with Bob Industries. The short film portrays Murray answering a supernatural call on Halloween eve, reinforcing the partnership’s authenticity and delighting long-time fans of the franchise.
Rivian’s ability to deliver this experience hinges on its vertically integrated hardware-software stack. By controlling every pixel, speaker and sensor in-house, the automaker can push creative content directly to vehicles without third-party mediation, showcasing the flexibility of its platform. As Chief Software Officer Wassym Bensaid noted, “Bridging the nostalgic magic of Ghostbusters with our own technology lets us turn a daily commute into an immersive playground.”
