Rivian Spinoff Also to Manufacture Autonomous Delivery Vehicles for DoorDash

Micromobility company Also, spun out from Rivian last year, announced a collaboration with DoorDash to develop autonomous delivery vehicles. As part of this partnership, DoorDash participated in Also’s $200 million Series C funding led by Greenoaks Capital and gained a seat on Also’s board. This funding raises Also’s total capital to $505 million, valuing the company at over $1 billion. Initially launched with a $105 million investment from Eclipse, which also backs Rivian’s Mind Robotics, Also started as a Rivian skunkworks project in 2022, developing electric bikes with design help from Jony Ive’s LoveFrom. Also’s first product is a high-end e-bike, and it has revealed designs for small delivery vehicles, which Amazon ordered last year. These vehicles can carry over 400 pounds while fitting in bike lanes. The DoorDash deal indicates Also will explore autonomous adaptations of its electric vehicles. Rivian and Also aim to integrate Rivian’s technology, but it remains uncertain if Rivian’s autonomy advancements will contribute to Also’s development. Rivian plans to enhance vehicle autonomy using sensors and custom technology, which might be utilized by Also. DoorDash, with its autonomy department and the Dot robot vehicle, could potentially manage the autonomous technology aspect. Dot, equipped with lidar, radar, and cameras, operates at speeds up to 20 mph in the Metro Phoenix area.