Rivian Spinoff Also Hits Billion Dollar Milestone

DoorDash invests $200 million in Rivian spinoff Also to deploy compact autonomous EVs for dense urban delivery by 2026

21 Apr 2026

In the dense thicket of urban logistics, the final stretch of a delivery is often the most expensive and the most awkward. A three-ton van is a clumsy tool for delivering a single paper bag of noodles. DoorDash, a food-delivery giant, appears to have reached the same conclusion. It has led a $200m investment in Also, a startup recently spun out from the electric-truck maker Rivian. The deal, which values Also at over $1 billion, aims to put small, autonomous electric vehicles on city streets by 2026.

The paradox of modern e-commerce is that while long-haul shipping has become marvelously efficient, the "last mile" remains a chaotic scramble for curb space. Also intends to solve this by building vehicles that are neither cars nor bikes. These machines are designed to carry 400 pounds of cargo while remaining narrow enough to slip through bike lanes. By leveraging Rivian’s "Large Driving Foundation Model," the startup hopes to bypass the technical hurdles that have stalled larger self-driving projects.

For DoorDash, the move is a calculation of cold necessity. Labor remains the highest cost in the delivery business. Replacing a human courier with a robot that does not require a tip or a parking space could significantly widen profit margins. However, the plan faces several hurdles. Cities are increasingly protective of their bike lanes, and the sight of autonomous boxes claiming space meant for cyclists may spark a fresh round of regulatory friction.

There is also the matter of technical reliability. Navigating a suburban street in Phoenix is one thing; navigating a rainy, crowded evening in Manhattan is quite another. Yet, by focusing on small-scale logistics rather than passenger transport, Also is choosing a more predictable path. If the venture succeeds, the future of urban dining may depend less on the gig worker and more on a fleet of polite, electric cabinets on wheels. For now, the investment suggests that in the race for autonomy, the winner might be the one carrying a sandwich.