DoorDash is partnering with an electric vehicle company with an eye on automating more food deliveries.
The delivery giant struck a deal with Also, a manufacturer of electric bikes and other small vehicles. It includes an investment in Also’s $200 million Series C round and a multi-year agreement to work together on developing autonomous delivery technology.
For DoorDash, the deal builds upon the launch last year of its delivery robot, Dot, which signaled a growing emphasis on automation at the company.
The four-wheeled Dot is notable for its ability to navigate both roads and sidewalks, and DoorDash seems to have found a kindred spirit in Also. Its vehicles are also designed for less-traveled spaces like bike lanes and shoulders.
“Small autonomous EVs are optimal in these environments and that is what Also is building from the ground up,” said Chris Yu, Also’s president and co-founder, in a statement.
Also’s EVs include a bike and two pedaled carts, one of which is designed for deliveries. They'll be available for purchase later this year.
Based in Palo Alto, California, Also is an offshoot of Rivian, the electric car maker. And though its current vehicles don't drive themselves, that appears to be part of what it will tackle with DoorDash, which has an autonomy division called DoorDash Labs.
DoorDash Labs is working toward a “multi-modal” delivery future made up of human couriers, robots and drones. It believes this sort of network will make delivery more efficient by providing more options, while also allowing the company to keep up with soaring demand for delivery.
It has partnered with other autonomous delivery providers, such as Serve Robotics, to help build out this network.
Robot delivery has made progress in recent years, thanks to tech and hardware improvements and millions in funding. In some big cities, robots are becoming a part of the streetscape. But they still have hurdles to overcome. In recent weeks, robots from both Serve and Coco were recorded shattering glass at Chicago bus stops, for instance.
“Last-mile delivery is a physical-world challenge and the details matter, from curb access to making sure an order arrives on time and intact,” said Stanley Tang, DoorDash’s co-founder and head of DoorDash Labs. “Also is building purpose-built EVs that are designed to unlock new ways to meet customers and merchants where they are.”
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