Mobileye Buys Mentee Robotics in $900M Humanoid Robot Push
In a surprise move at CES 2026, Mobileye has announced its acquisition of Israeli humanoid robotics startup Mentee Robotics for $900 million. The deal signals a dramatic expansion beyond automotive safety systems into the rapidly evolving world of physical AI. For readers wondering whether the autonomous driving tech leader is pivoting entirely—it’s not. Instead, Mobileye is layering robotics onto its existing AI and autonomy stack, a strategy its leadership calls “Mobileye 3.0.”
From Car Chips to Humanoid Bots: What’s Driving Mobileye’s Shift?
Mobileye, an Intel subsidiary, built its reputation supplying computer vision chips to automakers worldwide. Over the years, it evolved into a full-stack autonomous driving platform provider. But under co-founder and president Amnon Shashua, the company is now betting big on robotics. The acquisition of Mentee Robotics—a company Shashua himself co-founded in 2022—is the clearest signal yet that Mobileye sees humanoid robots as the next frontier for its AI expertise.
Why Humanoid Robots? The Physical AI Play
Humanoid robotics may seem like a leap from lane-keeping assist, but Mobileye frames it as a natural progression. The company argues that both autonomous vehicles and humanoids require “physical AI”: systems that not only perceive the world but also understand context, anticipate intent, and move safely alongside humans. By acquiring Mentee, Mobileye gains proprietary technology in motion planning, human-robot interaction, and adaptive learning—all critical to real-world robotics applications.
Inside the $900 Million Deal
The transaction values Mentee Robotics at $900 million, with Mobileye paying $612 million in cash and up to 26.2 million shares of common stock. Notably, Shashua recused himself from Mobileye’s board vote due to his role as Mentee’s chairman and major shareholder. Intel, Mobileye’s largest investor, has already greenlit the acquisition, which is expected to close in Q1 2026. While the deal will slightly increase Mobileye’s operating expenses this year, company executives stress it’s a strategic investment, not a financial burden.
Mentee Robotics: The Startup Behind the Hype
Founded just four years ago, Mentee Robotics emerged from Israel’s thriving AI ecosystem with a mission to build general-purpose humanoid robots. Unlike many competitors focused on narrow industrial tasks, Mentee aimed for adaptability—robots that could assist in homes, hospitals, or warehouses with minimal reprogramming. Early prototypes demonstrated impressive dexterity and situational awareness, catching the attention of investors and now, a deep-pocketed corporate parent.
Mobileye 3.0: What the Brand’s Next Era Really Means
Shashua didn’t mince words when unveiling “Mobileye 3.0” at CES: this isn’t just about adding another product line. It’s about unifying Mobileye’s automotive-grade AI with embodied intelligence. The vision? A single AI framework that powers both self-driving cars and walking, talking robots capable of navigating complex human environments. If successful, it could position Mobileye as a rare player with cross-domain expertise in physical AI.
Why Now? The Humanoid Gold Rush Heats Up
Mobileye isn’t alone in chasing humanoid robots. Tesla, Figure AI, and even Amazon have poured billions into the space, betting that human-shaped machines will eventually become as common as smartphones. The timing makes sense: advances in AI, battery tech, and actuator miniaturization have finally made practical humanoids feasible. By entering now, Mobileye avoids being left behind—and leverages its existing AI infrastructure to accelerate development.
Independence Within Integration: Mentee’s Future Structure
Despite the acquisition, Mentee Robotics will operate as an independent unit within Mobileye. This structure mirrors how many tech giants manage innovation—keeping startup agility intact while providing scale and resources. Given Shashua’s dual leadership roles, tight collaboration is inevitable, but Mobileye insists Mentee’s team and roadmap will remain intact, at least for now.
What This Means for Automakers and Consumers
For Mobileye’s automotive partners, the humanoid push may seem tangential. But executives argue the underlying AI breakthroughs—like real-time decision-making in unstructured environments—will benefit both domains. In the long run, consumers might interact with Mobileye AI whether they’re in a self-driving taxi or asking a home robot to fetch the remote. The brand is positioning itself as an invisible intelligence layer across physical spaces.
Challenges Ahead: Scaling Beyond the Lab
Humanoid robots remain notoriously difficult to commercialize. High costs, safety concerns, and limited real-world utility have stalled many early efforts. Mobileye knows this—and that’s likely why it’s treading carefully. The modest expense increase in 2026 suggests a measured rollout, not a moonshot. Still, with Shashua’s track record in turning academic AI into mass-market tech, the industry is watching closely.
A Strategic Bet on the Future of Embodied Intelligence
At its core, Mobileye’s acquisition of Mentee Robotics is less about building bipedal machines and more about owning the AI that powers them. In a world where software increasingly defines hardware value, Mobileye is ensuring its stack isn’t confined to vehicles. By anchoring its AI in both wheels and legs, the company aims to dominate wherever machines must intelligently interact with the physical world.
The Road Ahead for Mobileye’s Robotic Ambitions
As the deal closes in early 2026, all eyes will be on how quickly Mobileye integrates Mentee’s innovations—and whether it can deliver on the promise of practical, safe, and affordable humanoid robots. If anyone can bridge the gap between academic robotics and global scale, it might just be the team that already put AI in over 100 million cars. Mobileye 3.0 isn’t just a rebrand—it’s a declaration of intent in the race to build the next generation of intelligent machines
