The Rivian spinoff will also build autonomous delivery vehicles for DoorDash

Micromobility also created within Rivian and Weaved last yearThe two companies announced Tuesday that they will work with DoorDash to develop autonomous delivery vehicles.

As part of the deal, DoorDash participated in a $200 million Series C funding round as well, which was led by a previous investor. Greenox Capital. DoorDash gets a seat on the company’s board of directors, too.

The raise brings Also’s total funding to $505 million, and puts its valuation above $1 billion. The startup was launched with an investment of $105 million from eclipsewhich also supports Mind Robotics – a third-party AI company under Rivian It was created late last year.

It also started as Skunkworks project inside Rivian in 2022. The electric car maker initially set out to build an electric bike, and also collaborated with Jony Ive’s design company LoveFrom It was first reported by TechCrunch last year. The first product is also A sophisticated and funky-looking e-bikeBut it also showed designs for small, pedal-assisted delivery vehicles.

Amazon – a major investor in and partner with Rivian – I placed an order for thousands of these delivery vehicles Late last year. It has also been said that these can hold over 400 pounds of packages while still being small enough to fit in a bike lane.

The DoorDash deal is the first indication that it will also develop autonomous versions of its small electric vehicles. Rivian founder RJ Scaringe and CEO Chris Yu told TechCrunch last year that almost any form factor was on the table — within practical limits.

Rivian also said the micromobility startup will leverage the automaker’s technology in its products, as well as its retail presence and economies of scale. It’s not clear whether it will also benefit from the autonomous technology that Rivian is working on.

Rivian currently plans to use a combination of cameras, ultrasonic sensors, radar, and eventually lidar technology to bring autonomy to its vehicles. Late last year, Rivian revealed that it had developed its own product Custom computer made of silicon and autonomy In an effort to make its own cars increasingly capable of autonomous driving. Scaringe has already hinted that Mind Robotics will be using this chip, so it’s possible he will use it as well. TechCrunch has reached out to both Rivian and Also and will update this story if they respond.

It’s possible DoorDash could tackle autonomous technology.

The company has its own autonomy department and has spent several years developing a A robotic vehicle called Dot It is equipped with lidar, radar and camera sensors and can drive autonomously on roads, bike lanes and sidewalks. The brightly colored vehicle with cartoon eyes can travel at speeds of up to 20 mph and delivers in the Phoenix metro area.