DoorDash has entered a strategic partnership with Also, a Rivian spinoff focused on micromobility, to advance autonomous delivery using compact electric vehicles. As part of the deal, DoorDash will invest in Also and gain a board observer seat through co-founder Stanley Tang. The collaboration aims to scale autonomous delivery in complex urban environments, particularly where roadways, bike lanes, and roadside spaces intersect. Also, spun off from Rivian in 2025, currently builds pedal-assist electric vehicles, including the $3,500 TM-B e-bike with a virtual drivetrain. More relevant to DoorDash's logistics needs is the TM-Q, a four-wheeled electric cargo vehicle designed to carry multiple food orders while remaining narrow enough to fit in bike lanes. While the companies did not specify which models will be used for autonomous delivery, the TM-Q is seen as a strong candidate. In October, Amazon already committed to purchasing thousands of TM-Q units for its last-mile delivery operations. TechCrunch reported the partnership pushes Also's valuation past $1 billion, marking a significant milestone for the startup.
When Also's president Chris Yu says the company is targeting spaces "not yet fully solved for," he's acknowledging that autonomous delivery still struggles with chaotic urban navigation—especially in mixed-traffic zones like bike lanes and curbsides. The fact that both DoorDash and Amazon are betting on the TM-Q suggests compact, lane-efficient EVs may shape the future of city logistics. For Nigerian startups like Sendy or Dispatch, which grapple with congested urban routes, this signals a global shift toward smaller, smarter delivery hardware instead of vans or bikes. If autonomy works in San Francisco bike lanes, its lessons could eventually apply to Lagos' gridlock—if the tech can adapt to even rougher conditions.
