Mobileye, known for its computer vision chips in automotive safety systems, is venturing into robotics with a major acquisition. The company announced a $900 million deal to purchase Mentee Robotics, a startup co-founded by Mobileye co-founder and president Amnon Shashua in 2022. The acquisition, funded partly by cash and stock, signals Mobileye’s shift to what Shashua terms as Mobileye 3.0, emphasizing robotics alongside autonomous driving technology.
By merging Mentee Robotics’ humanoid robotics advancements with Mobileye’s autonomous vehicle expertise, the company aims to spearhead innovations in physical AI for both robotics and self-driving cars globally. Despite the overlap between the two companies due to Shashua’s involvement, Mentee Robotics will operate independently within Mobileye.
The move comes amidst a trend of tech companies entering the humanoid robot space, reflecting the growing interest in AI-driven robotics. While the immediate benefits for Mobileye remain somewhat unclear, the acquisition positions the company at the forefront of the evolving intersection between robotics and automotive AI.
Source: TechCrunch