DoorDash and Rivian Spinoff Also Partner for Autonomy

DoorDash is taking a significant step toward the future of logistics by partnering with Also, a promising startup that recently spun off from Rivian. The two companies announced a strategic partnership on Tuesday, with DoorDash making a direct investment in Also to accelerate the development and deployment of autonomous delivery vehicles at scale.

While the companies haven't pinpointed exactly which vehicles will lead the charge, Also’s current lineup gives us some pretty strong clues. The startup, which became independent in 2025, focuses on micromobility solutions that blend pedal power with motorized assistance. Their first commercial hit was the $3,500 TM-B e-bike, but for DoorDash’s needs, the TM-Q seems like the real star of the show. This four-wheeled electric vehicle is designed to carry heavy cargo while remaining narrow enough to navigate bike lanes—though we imagine local cyclists might have a few things to say about sharing their space with delivery bots!

Chris Yu, co-founder and president of Also, noted that this partnership aims to solve delivery challenges in complex urban areas where roadways, bike lanes, and sidewalks meet. It’s a space that traditional delivery vans struggle with, but compact autonomous units could master. Interestingly, DoorDash isn't the only giant interested in Also’s tech; Amazon has already committed to buying thousands of TM-Q vehicles for its own last-mile operations.

As part of this deal, DoorDash co-founder Stanley Tang will join Also’s board as an observer. This strategic move has reportedly pushed Also’s valuation past the $1 billion mark, officially crowning it a 'unicorn' in the tech world. For DoorDash users, this could eventually mean your next burrito might arrive via a silent, high-tech robot rather than a traditional courier.