Rivian spinoff Also just unveiled its first product - a $4,500 premium e-bike that's anything but ordinary. The TM-B features modular seating configurations, pedal-by-wire propulsion, and integrated security that can remotely "brick" stolen bikes. What started as a skunkworks project inside Rivian is now betting it can crack the crowded e-bike market with automotive-grade engineering and a platform approach to micromobility.
Also, the micromobility startup that spun out of Rivian earlier this year, just dropped its first bombshell at an Oakland event Wednesday. The TM-B isn't just another e-bike - it's what happens when automotive engineers ask "what if we rebuilt everything from scratch?"
"We realized the only way to do this well is to build everything," Rivian CEO RJ Scaringe told reporters, reflecting on the skunkworks project that started inside his EV company several years ago. That philosophy shows in every component of the TM-B, from its custom battery pack to the pedal-by-wire propulsion system that eliminates the mechanical connection between pedaling and movement.
The launch edition hits the premium end at $4,500, packing specs that would make Tesla jealous: 100-mile range, 10 assistive levels, air shocks front and rear, and sport mode that "zips the rider down the road" according to Also President Chris Yu's presentation. The performance trim matches those specs for the same price but won't arrive until first-half 2026, while a base model with 60-mile range targets sub-$4,000 pricing for late 2026.
But here's where Also gets interesting - the modular top frame. Riders can swap between solo seating (with two water bottle mounts), utility cargo setup (77-pound capacity with rear rack), or bench configuration in "a few seconds and without tools," Yu demonstrated. Each configuration syncs its software profile with the central touchscreen, creating personalized riding experiences.
The security system reads like something from a spy thriller. Walk away from the TM-B and it automatically locks battery, wheels, and frame. Tamper with it and you get push notifications while the bike emits "a loud honking sound" - which doubles as a horn for city navigation. In worst-case scenarios, owners can remotely "brick" stolen bikes since Also controls every board and software component.
"Since we own every board, every piece of software, every part of the bike, that means no part is usable until the owner says this is recovered," Yu explained during the event. The LTE and GPS tracking provides real-time location data, making recovery efforts more targeted than typical theft reports.
Also CTO Jonathan Hall revealed that even the manufacturing tools were designed in-house, underscoring the automotive DNA in this micromobility play. The removable battery doubles as a portable power station with USB-C fast charging up to 240 watts - enough to run laptops or charge phones during camping trips.
The company isn't stopping at bikes. Scaringe positioned the TM-B as "the first in a whole platform of products we're going to build in the microspace," hinting at additional vehicles leveraging the same core technologies. That automotive platform thinking could give Also advantages over traditional bike manufacturers focused on single products.
Competing in the premium e-bike space means taking on established players like VanMoof and Cowboy, but Also's betting automotive-grade engineering and modular design create enough differentiation. The 24-inch wheels, integrated LED lighting with turn signals, and "biomotion" leg illumination while pedaling suggest a focus on urban commuters willing to pay for premium features.
The Alpha Wave Helmet adds another revenue stream with integrated lights, four wind-shielded speakers, noise-canceling microphones, and one-handed tightening. It syncs with either the bike's touchscreen or riders' phones for music, calls, and turn-by-turn navigation - creating an ecosystem play similar to Apple's approach.
Eclipse Ventures led Also's $105 million funding round when it spun out from Rivian, betting that automotive expertise could disrupt traditional micromobility. With Scaringe remaining on Also's board, the startup maintains ties to its automotive roots while pursuing an independent path in the growing e-bike market.
Also's TM-B represents a fascinating collision between automotive engineering and micromobility, bringing features like pedal-by-wire propulsion and comprehensive security systems to the e-bike market. Whether premium pricing and modular design can crack a crowded field remains to be seen, but the automotive DNA and platform approach suggest Also sees this as just the beginning of a broader micromobility ecosystem. With deliveries starting spring 2026, the real test will be whether customers value automotive-grade engineering enough to justify premium pricing in an increasingly competitive e-bike landscape.
