Rivian spinoff Also will build autonomous delivery vehicles for DoorDash

Also, a micromobility startup that emerged from Rivian, has announced a collaboration with DoorDash to create autonomous delivery vehicles. The partnership was unveiled on Tuesday, coinciding with DoorDash's participation in Also's recent Series C funding round, which successfully raised $200 million, spearheaded by Greenoaks Capital. This investment not only secures DoorDash a position on Also's board of directors but also elevates the startup's total funding to $505 million, pushing its valuation beyond $1 billion. Initially launched as a secretive project within Rivian in 2022, Also originally aimed to develop an electric bicycle. The startup notably collaborated with renowned designer Jony Ive's firm, LoveFrom, during its early stages. Its first offering, a stylish and innovative e-bike, is just the beginning, as the company has also showcased concepts for compact, pedal-assist delivery vehicles. Amazon, a significant investor and partner of Rivian, has already placed orders for thousands of these small delivery vehicles, which are designed to carry over 400 pounds of packages while remaining compact enough to navigate bike lanes. The new partnership with DoorDash marks a significant step for Also into the realm of autonomous vehicle technology. Rivian's founder, RJ Scaringe, alongside Also's CEO, Chris Yu, previously indicated that they are considering various vehicle forms for autonomy development. While it remains uncertain whether Also will utilize Rivian's autonomy technology, the automaker is known to be integrating a combination of cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar, and lidar in its vehicles to enhance self-driving capabilities. Additionally, Rivian has developed custom silicon and an autonomy computer aimed at advancing its vehicle technology. DoorDash has its own autonomy initiatives, including the development of a delivery robot named Dot, which employs lidar, radar, and camera sensors to navigate streets, bike lanes, and sidewalks. This colorful, cartoonish vehicle can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour and is already operational in the Metro Phoenix area, suggesting that DoorDash may play a key role in the autonomous technology aspect of the partnership.