In an exciting development announced at CES in Las Vegas, Mobileye is ushering in what co-founder Amnon Shashua enthusiastically calls "Mobileye 3.0" — a bold new era that extends the company's proven AI capabilities from vehicles into the promising world of humanoid robotics.

The Intel subsidiary, already renowned for revolutionizing automotive safety with its computer vision chips used by millions of vehicles worldwide, has reached an agreement to acquire Mentee Robotics for $900 million. This strategic acquisition marks a thrilling expansion of Mobileye's mission to create intelligent systems that can safely and naturally interact with the physical world.

"Today marks a new chapter for robotics and automotive AI," Shashua announced with evident enthusiasm. The vision is compelling: combining Mentee's innovative breakthroughs in humanoid robotics with Mobileye's proven expertise in automotive autonomy to lead the evolution of what the industry calls "Physical AI" on a global scale.

What makes this partnership particularly exciting is the synergy it creates. Mentee Robotics will continue operating as an independent unit within Mobileye, allowing it to maintain its innovative culture while gaining access to Mobileye's substantial resources. This includes advanced AI training infrastructure and computational power that can accelerate the development of next-generation humanoid robots designed to work alongside humans naturally and safely.

The timing couldn't be better. Mobileye is entering this new frontier from a position of remarkable strength. The company reports an impressive $24.5 billion revenue pipeline over the next eight years from its automotive business alone — a figure that has grown more than 40% since January 2023. This solid financial foundation provides the perfect launchpad for ambitious robotics initiatives.

The acquisition announcement came alongside other encouraging news from Mobileye. A top-ten global automaker has committed to purchasing 9 million of Mobileye's next-generation EyeQ6H-based systems for hands-free advanced driver assistance. Combined with Volkswagen Group's earlier commitment, Mobileye now projects delivery of more than 19 million of these advanced systems — a testament to the growing trust in the company's technology.

What's particularly inspiring about this move is the potential ripple effect. As Mobileye applies its automotive AI expertise to humanoid robotics, we could see breakthrough applications in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, and countless other sectors. The company's focus on creating systems that understand context, intent, and can interact naturally with humans suggests a future where robots become helpful partners in everyday life.

This acquisition represents more than just corporate expansion. It's a glimpse into an optimistic future where proven automotive safety technology evolves to create robots that can safely navigate our complex world, potentially improving quality of life across multiple dimensions. As these two innovative companies join forces, they're not just building robots — they're building a bridge to a future where artificial intelligence serves humanity in increasingly meaningful ways.