Mobileye Global Inc., a leading automotive chip manufacturer, has reached an agreement to acquire Mentee Robotics Ltd., an innovative player in artificial intelligence and humanoid robotics, for a total of $900 million. The transaction will involve $612 million in cash along with the issuance of up to 26.2 million shares of Mobileye Class A common stock, contingent on the vesting of Mentee options prior to closing.
Mentee Robotics, established in 2022, is co-founded by Mobileye’s CEO, Prof. Amnon Shashua, along with robotics experts Prof. Lior Wolf and Prof. Shai Shalev-Shwartz. The startup is dedicated to creating versatile humanoid robots capable of functioning efficiently in dynamic environments such as warehouses and homes, leveraging advanced AI rather than relying solely on rigid automation.
Key aspects of Mentee’s technology include a “mentoring” paradigm that allows robots to learn from minimal human demonstrations, transforming limited examples into extensive training datasets. This approach addresses a significant challenge in robotics by reducing the need for extensive real-world data collection.
The MenteeBot series, featuring sophisticated hardware and software, boasts articulated limbs and actuators designed for heavy-duty tasks, with AI algorithms that seamlessly integrate perception, control, and decision-making. Mentee is particularly focused on scenarios where conventional industrial robots struggle, highlighting capabilities in lifting, manipulation, and navigation.
For Mobileye, this acquisition signals a strategic expansion into physical AI, enabling systems that can interpret context, infer intent, and interact naturally with humans while ensuring safe and efficient operation. This move is expected to enhance Mentee’s market entry, with initial proof-of-concept deployments anticipated by 2026 and full-scale commercialization aimed for 2028.
Prof. Shashua remarked, “Today marks a new chapter for robotics and automotive AI and the beginning of Mobileye 3.0. By merging Mentee’s advancements in humanoid robotics with Mobileye’s prowess in automotive autonomy, we are poised to spearhead the evolution of physical AI in both robotics and autonomous vehicles globally.”
Mentee Robotics has previously secured around $17 million in funding, although estimates suggest it could be as high as $41 million. The deal is projected to finalize in the first quarter of this year.
