Jony Ive’s LoveFrom Played Key Role in Designing Rivian’s First Electric Bike

LoveFrom, the creative firm established by former Apple chief designer Jony Ive, contributed significantly to the development of Rivian’s inaugural electric bike, according to sources who spoke with TechCrunch.

For approximately 18 months, a select team from LoveFrom collaborated with Rivian’s design and engineering teams. This partnership occurred within a specialized skunkworks program spearheaded by Chris Yu, formerly the chief product and technology officer at Specialized. The collaboration between LoveFrom and Rivian on this micromobility project concluded in the fall of 2024, as per the sources.

Both LoveFrom and Rivian have chosen not to comment on this collaboration.

Rivian’s skunkworks program, which eventually expanded to include around 70 professionals from companies like Apple, Google, Specialized, Tesla, and REI Co-Op, was spun out earlier this year under a new name, Also, securing $105 million in funding from Eclipse Ventures.

Also, the new micromobility startup, has yet to unveil its initial vehicle designs. Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe, who also serves on Also’s board, and Yu have remained tight-lipped about the specific appearance of the company’s first vehicle in interviews with TechCrunch.

“There’s a seat, and there’s two wheels, there’s a screen, and there’s a few computers and a battery,” Scaringe mentioned in March. He also described it as “bike-like,” a detail corroborated by sources.

Scaringe and Yu have both hinted at a much broader vision for Also, suggesting the company could potentially address almost any form of micromobility imaginable. The startup is anticipated to reveal its first designs at an event later in the year. An Also spokesperson has declined to comment on the bike or any association with LoveFrom.

The unveiling of the electric “bike” may reveal the significant influence of Ive’s design expertise.

Ive is renowned for his pivotal role in shaping the design of the iPhone and other iconic Apple products, and most recently, for his work with Sam Altman and OpenAI. However, his involvement with Rivian marks another chapter in his engagement with the transportation sector.

Ferrari’s parent company announced in 2021 that Ive’s firm would assist in the development of the Italian supercar manufacturer’s next-generation vehicles. Ive also contributed to Apple’s secretive car project. He was reportedly a key advocate for focusing Apple’s long-term car project on autonomous driving capabilities, while other internal voices favored a more conventional electric vehicle. Apple ultimately ceased the project early last year.

Sources have indicated to TechCrunch that LoveFrom has previously served as a consultant for Rivian, advising on aspects such as the redesigned infotainment system and retail experience, among other areas, according to two former employees familiar with the relationship. However, their involvement in the project that evolved into Also represented a more structured and dedicated effort, according to another source with knowledge of the matter.

The skunkworks program was initiated in early 2022 with the goal of determining if Rivian’s EV technology could be scaled down into a smaller, more affordable form factor than its existing electric vans, trucks, and SUVs.

Initially, the small team collaborated with Rivian designers to create a product that could be adapted to various vehicle types. A primary design challenge was achieving modularity in the bike-like product while preserving the elevated aesthetic that Rivian is known for.

By the time LoveFrom became involved in the project in early 2023, significant progress had already been made, with their role primarily focused on refining the existing prototypes, according to sources.

The collaboration was described as a close partnership between the skunkworks team, LoveFrom’s staff, and the industrial designers based at Rivian’s headquarters in Irvine. This collaborative group examined all facets of the project, including the user interface and UX for the bike.

LoveFrom’s industrial design team, which possesses extensive experience in thoughtful and clever packaging, played a particularly active role, bringing an interdisciplinary and international perspective to the project, according to one source.