Rivian spinout Also raises $150M to take its small EVs autonomous

What happened

Also Inc., a small electric vehicle maker spun out from Rivian, secured $150 million in a Series D funding round. The goal is to speed up development of autonomous driving technology across various small EV formats built on its existing electric vehicle architecture. Chris Yu, the company’s leadership face and spokesperson, highlighted the simultaneous development of multiple self-driving EV types tailored for both consumer and commercial use.

Why it matters

The injection of capital will push Also to advance autonomy on smaller EV platforms, a market segment often overlooked compared to passenger cars and large trucks. Building self-driving capabilities on an already established electric architecture could lower integration complexity and development costs. This approach challenges the status quo by combining electric propulsion and autonomy from the ground up rather than retrofitting autonomy onto traditional vehicles. The move increases pressure on rivals in the small EV and autonomous vehicle space to accelerate their own technology roadmaps or risk losing emerging market share.

What to watch next

Follow how Also integrates its autonomy stack across different EV form factors and the pace of bringing these products to market. The company’s success hinges on proving a reliable, scalable autonomous platform suitable for smaller vehicles. Watch for potential partnerships or pilot programs with fleets or last-mile delivery services where Also’s vehicles could generate operational data and revenue. The broader impact will depend on Also’s ability to execute while larger players stress test and navigate regulatory hurdles around autonomous operation in small EVs.

AI Quick Briefs Editorial Desk