> At a Glance
> – Mobileye will acquire Mentee Robotics for $900 million in cash and stock
> – Deal marks shift to “Mobileye 3.0” combining automotive AI with humanoid robotics
> – Founder Amnon Shashua recused himself from board approval
> – Why it matters: The Intel-backed firm is leveraging its $24.5B auto pipeline to enter the crowded humanoid robot race
Mobileye is leaping from cars to humanoids, announcing a $900 million deal to buy startup Mentee Robotics at CES 2026.
The Acquisition
The Intel unit will pay roughly $612 million cash plus up to 26.2 million shares for the Israeli startup Shashua co-founded in 2022. Mobileye’s board and Intel, its largest shareholder, already approved the transaction, set to close in Q1.
Mentee will stay an independent division inside Mobileye. Shashua, who holds a large Mentee stake and chairs its board, stepped away from Mobileye’s deliberations to avoid conflict.
Strategic Shift
Shashua calls the move the start of “Mobileye 3.0,” blending Mentee’s humanoid hardware with Mobileye’s proven automotive AI stack.
Shashua said Tuesday:
> “Today marks a new chapter for robotics and automotive AI… we have a unique opportunity to lead the evolution of physical AI across robotics and autonomous vehicles on a global scale.”
The company frames the purchase as a step toward “Physical Artificial Intelligence”-systems that grasp context, intent, and natural interaction.
Financial Outlook
Mobileye expects only a low-single-digit % bump in 2026 operating expenses. It touts a $24.5 billion automotive revenue pipeline through 2034, up more than 40 % since January 2023, to bankroll the expansion.
Key Takeaways
- Mobileye is diversifying beyond car chips into humanoid robots
- Mentee gains access to advanced AI training infrastructure
- EyeQ6H Surround ADAS orders now top 19 million units after a new top-10 automaker deal
The acquisition lands as competition intensifies among tech giants racing to commercialize humanoid helpers.
