Mobileye is set to acquire Mentee Robotics, a humanoid robot startup co-founded by Mobileye's own co-founder and president Amnon Shashua, for $900 million. The deal, announced at CES in Las Vegas, signals Mobileye's strategic expansion into the robotics sector, a move Shashua has dubbed "Mobileye 3.0."

The acquisition agreement stipulates that Mobileye will pay approximately $612 million in cash and up to 26.2 million shares of common stock for Mentee Robotics. Shashua, who holds the position of chairman, co-founder, and a significant shareholder of Mentee, reportedly recused himself from the Mobileye board's deliberation and approval process. The transaction, already approved by both the Mobileye board and Intel, its largest shareholder, is anticipated to be finalized in the first quarter. Mobileye projects that this acquisition will modestly increase its operating expenses in 2026 by a low-single-digit percentage.

This acquisition places Mobileye directly into the burgeoning robotics market, specifically targeting the development of humanoid robots. The move could potentially disrupt industries ranging from manufacturing and logistics to elder care and customer service. By integrating Mentee Robotics' expertise, Mobileye aims to leverage its existing computer vision technology and autonomous driving software to create advanced robotic solutions.

Mobileye initially established itself as a key player in the automotive industry by providing automakers with computer vision chips designed for safety features and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The Intel subsidiary later expanded its focus to autonomous driving. The acquisition of Mentee Robotics represents a significant diversification of Mobileye's business and a bet on the future of robotics.

Looking ahead, the integration of Mentee Robotics is expected to accelerate Mobileye's development of robotic solutions. The company's established expertise in computer vision and autonomous navigation, combined with Mentee Robotics' focus on humanoid robot development, positions Mobileye to be a significant player in the robotics market in the coming years. The company has not yet disclosed specific product details or timelines for commercial deployment of its robotics technology.