Back to Profile

Digital Design Consulting, Online Training, Software Solutions

Contact partner

Success Story

Linkage Provides Complete Design Solution for Rivian Automotive

Linkage Provides Complete Design Solution for Rivian Automotive

Customer challenge

Linkage has been working with Rivian Automotive for the past four (4) years by providing product design and transportation software and services that include Autodesk's Alias and VRED solutions for 3D digital content creation and digital visualization. Initially, Rivian was a startup so they were challenged by not having enough available funds to purchase the Autodesk subscriptions they needed to get their work done.

Project goals

Primary Goal: Review many Rivian truck design iterations quickly and efficiently. An additional goal for Rivian was to ramp up quickly on the design of their fully-electric truck as there was a lot of competition in this space (and there still is): 1) 10 designers and digital sculptors were needed right away so they (Rivian) needed Alias and VRED software and competent resources 2) As their initial funding was minimal, they needed to conserve cash everywhere they could

Solution

We assisted them by providing free design services, to start, and then slowly ramping up the bill-rate for our resources. We identified, young and motivated designers who were willing to make a personal sacrifice on accepting a reduced compensation structure until we got things going with Rivian. We also worked out a plan that would allow them to pay Linkage in increments, while Linkage made the upfront purchase of Autodesk software.

Business outcome

Linkage assisted Rivian to shorten their design time of the original concept creation from the industry standard of 30 months to 18 months. They refined their design a number of times further, released it to engineering and are now ready to release their trucks to consumers who have preordered, starting in early 2021. The majority of Rivian’s design reviews are done (then and now) using Alias data viewed immersively using a VRED / Vive VR setup. This was a significant value add!

Conclusion

Rivian has standardized on Autodesk tools. Linkage is their exclusive provider of Autodesk subscription software, while also providing tailored training solutions and expert design resources working on-site. Rivian has become one of the few electric vehicle success stories because of the unique design and the timeliness of their truck development. Rivian has raised $1.3 billion in new funding, comprised of $700 million led by Amazon, $500 million from Ford and others.

Project summary

    Duration & delivery

  • 1000
  • 2019-01-14

    Autodesk solutions

  • Alias AutoStudio

    Services provided

  • Software Asset Management & Usage

    Customer industry

  • Design
More success stories

Linkage Supports Waymo's Autonomous Car Ongoing Design

All Google divisions were new to using Autodesk Alias and VRED when we first started working with them in 2014 so Linkage worked with all the users to present the merits and values of using these tools in pre-sales meetings, working with the Autodesk Named Account Rep and his team. Specifically, the Waymo division needed to be up-and-running ASAP. Linkage provided a complete package of software, training and services to fast-track their use of these tools.

View

Fast Design Launch for Nikola Motors

Nikola Motors was in a truly unique situation as they had only two people on staff when they launched in 2015: their founder, Trevor Milton and a designer, Steve Jennes. I supported Steve 15 years ago when he worked at Isuzu Motors so he knew to call me to ask for our help. Steve had to design and digitally build the initial electric semi-truck concept in less than 30 days. He was very nervous about taking on these responsibilities as his Alias 3D modeling skills were rusty.

View

By accessing and using Partner Finder, you acknowledge and agree to the following Additional Terms as referenced in the Website Terms of Use: (i) Partner Finder may be modified, updated, interrupted, limited, suspended, or discontinued at any time without notice or liability; (ii) any query or request for information regarding a specific provider or provider services may be forwarded to that provider, however Autodesk in its discretion may retain a record to conduct business analytics to improve Partner Finder and other Autodesk products and services; (iii) Autodesk has no obligation to enforce any terms on your behalf against another user; and (iv) any feedback you provide in connection with a provider, including ratings or reviews, is a non-confidential “Submission” as defined in the Website Terms of Use. You are advised to conduct your own independent analysis and assessment of any information provided by or though Partner Finder, including whether a selected provider is appropriate for your particular circumstances. Without limiting the Website Terms of Use, Autodesk does not warrant, endorse, guarantee, or assume responsibility for any service advertised or offered by a provider through Partner Finder or any hyperlinked website or service. Autodesk is not liable for the content of this site, or for the consequences of any actions you may take based on information provided by, or through, this site. You release Autodesk and its affiliates and subsidiaries from all liability arising from your use of Partner Finder, including any hyperlinked website, service, or content.

This page has been translated for your convenience using a machine translation service. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation; however, no automated translation is perfect nor is it intended to replace human translators. As a result, this translation may contain errors and inaccuracies. Autodesk provides no warranties, either express or implied, about the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the machine translation and disclaims all liability for any losses or damages caused by, or resulting from your reliance on, this translation. The English version of this website is the official version.