Rivian spins out a new micromobility startup called Also with $105M from Eclipse

[Aushiker]

Also plans to put its flagship product into production next year for consumers in the United States and Europe. The startup will eventually launch vehicles tailored for consumer and commercial use in Asia and South America.

More 'details' at TechCrunch

 

[DaveMatthews]

That should be entertaining in a market that seems to be shrinking a bit...

 

[Slaphappygamer]

I agree when Behl said “If you look at our cities, the infrastructure is such that you can’t have large cars driving around, but they still have mobility needs. We need something different, something smaller, something more flexible.”

I was in a parking garage in SF and there was a CyberTruck. The garage was very narrow with tight turns. The CyberTruck had its passenger side mirror sheered off. Cyber trucks are stupid for how wide they are. I swear, some streets have lanes that are 9-10’ wide, the truck is almost 8’ wide.

 

[Mr. Coffee]

I have always found it hilarious that a lot of large American trucks and SUVs won't even fit in a standard sized garage. When you realize most Americans don't ever store their vehicles in a garage (the garage is for storing all of their junk) it almost makes sense.

I note that "large American truck" is redundant.

Still it is humorous imagining someone just making a $100,000 purchase and driving it home only to discover it doesn't fit in the part of the house designed for such things.

 

[jabberwocky]

I'm guessing this is more a way to separate VCs from their money than it is to actually develop a viable product and company.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

I'm guessing this is more a way to separate VCs from their money than it is to actually develop a viable product and company.

I don't know, seems like a laudable goal to me!

 

[jabberwocky]

I don't know, seems like a laudable goal to me!

Lol, true. Just has all the buzzwords (Micromobility! Supply chain optimization! Skunkworks! Leveraging [insert successful company] tech!) and zero info on the actual product. I'll believe it when I see it for sale, personally.

 

[Alan Acock]

More 'details' at TechCrunch

The Rivian offshoot, ALSO, says it is Class 3, but in California, the Throttle is restricted to 20 mph, so it can go anywhere a Class 2 bike can go. This makes no sense to me. If I pedal the bike at 10 mph, the fact that it has pedal assist capability up to 28 mph makes it a class 3 bike, which is illegal on off-road paths and multi-use paths. I don't see how the throttle being limited to 20 MPH changes the bike to Class 2 that can use these paths.?????

 

[Stefan Mikes]

As usually, an off-shot to an automotive company presents a proprietary futuristic contraption with no word about the specifications

 

[gromike]

Rivian/Also ebike

 

[Stefan Mikes]

 

[gromike]

Watch the video and then post!

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Watch the video and then post!

I did.
Yet another invention to pave the e-bike Hell.
A mini-motorcycle with a human range extender - as one of the comments read.
The idea to waste as much as 35% pedalling power on a 85 lb bike is just ridiculous.

 

[gromike]

Try it, you might like it.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

You try. I'd like you to be an early adopter

The reviewer doesn't even understand e-bikes. He says the novelty of the new drivetrain is the cranks are disconnected from the drivetrain. This is the very principle of any mid-drive motor: as long as the assistance is provided, the cranks operate together with the motor; the chainring is not connected with the cranks at all. The man mentions hub-drive motors; does he mention mid-drives? Is he aware the efficiency of the traditional chain/derailleur drivetrain is as high as 95%?

Now, regen. Regen might contribute to the energy restoring up to 5%. It is because the e-bike + ride are too lightweight to contribute with more (it is not a heavy car). Compare it to the 35% energy loss between the generator and the motor. Moreover, the regen acts as a powerful brake while most riders would enjoy downhill coasting.

It is just rubbish.

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

My mountain biking neighbor rides a nice Bulls eMTB. Three months ago, he tested a Levo 4 and nearly bought one. Now he's eyeing this Rivian instead. Seemed really excited about the tech behind it. If he gets one, I'll report on it.

If Rivian sees potential in this technology, why not let them explore it? Even if it flops, could be some useful spin-offs. Wouldn't want my neighbor to get burned as an early adopter, but that's his decision, not mine.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

Jeremy,
I could make a list of "LE-VO-RUSH-YO-NARY" (J. Steinbeck) e-bike inventions that didn't catch. Like that e-bike that one Seth You Know Who bought for dimes after a couple of years to deride it...

 

[Jeremy McCreary]

Jeremy,
I could make a list of "LE-VO-RUSH-YO-NARY" (J. Steinbeck) e-bike inventions that didn't catch. Like that e-bike that one Seth You Know Who bought for dimes after a couple of years to deride it...

And that proves what exactly?

 

[gromike]

I'll make my mind up after I ride one. If they make enough of them and go under my chance of scoring one only improves.
I still want want one off those hub less ebikes too. They just didn't make enough of them before they folded.

 

[Stefan Mikes]

And that proves what exactly?

It only proves your neighbour knows very little about e-bikes. Will be easily parted with his money.
Someone who claims is an MTB-er and considered a Levo 4 then he even considers this abomination...