Mobileye Global, Intel's autonomous driving subsidiary, announced the acquisition of Israeli startup Mentee Robotics for $900 million in what represents the largest robotics acquisition of 2026. The deal, unveiled at CES 2026 in Las Vegas, signals a strategic convergence of autonomous vehicle technology and humanoid robotics as Mobileye positions itself to dominate what CEO describes as "physical AI" across multiple sectors.
Mobileye stock surged 18% following the acquisition announcement as investors recognized the strategic logic of combining the company's advanced perception systems with Mentee's humanoid robot platforms. The transaction, expected to close in Q1 2026, marks Mobileye's most significant acquisition since its spin-off from Intel and represents a fundamental expansion beyond its core automotive business.
Mentee Robotics, founded recently in Israel, developed humanoid robot technology that Mobileye executives believe synergizes naturally with autonomous driving capabilities. Both domains require sophisticated real-time perception, decision-making under uncertainty, and navigation in unstructured environments. Mobileye's DRIVE Orin and Thor platforms, already deployed in autonomous vehicles, will now power humanoid robots capable of operating in factories, warehouses, and logistics centers.
The acquisition addresses growing demand from automotive manufacturers seeking to integrate humanoid robots into production lines, autonomous vehicle companies expanding into robotics, logistics operations pursuing automation, and enterprises deploying physical AI systems. Industry analysts suggest the deal positions Mobileye to capture value across the full spectrum of mobile robotics applications rather than remaining confined to automotive markets.
Mobileye's move reflects broader industry recognition that autonomous driving technology translates directly to humanoid robotics. The same sensor fusion, path planning, and obstacle avoidance capabilities that enable self-driving cars apply to robots navigating factory floors or fulfillment centers. By acquiring Mentee rather than developing humanoid capabilities internally, Mobileye accelerates its entry into the estimated $38 billion humanoid robotics market projected by 2030.
The timing proves strategic as competitors including Tesla, Boston Dynamics, and Chinese robotics firms race to commercialize humanoid platforms. Tesla's Optimus program, while generating significant attention, has yet to achieve meaningful commercial deployments. Mobileye's acquisition provides immediate access to Mentee's technology and talent, potentially leapfrogging years of internal development.
For automotive manufacturers, the deal creates new opportunities to deploy unified robotics systems across both production and products. A single technology platform could power both the robots assembling vehicles and the autonomous systems within those vehicles, simplifying integration and reducing costs. Early partnerships with major automakers are expected to materialize throughout 2026 as Mobileye demonstrates integrated solutions.
The $900 million valuation, while substantial, represents a calculated bet on physical AI's trajectory. As software-based AI agents demonstrate value in digital environments, the next frontier involves AI systems that manipulate the physical world. Mobileye's acquisition positions the company at the intersection of two high-growth markets—autonomous vehicles and humanoid robotics—while leveraging existing technological capabilities across both domains.
The acquisition announcement at CES 2026 generated immediate industry response, with analysts highlighting how Mobileye's existing automotive relationships provide natural distribution channels for humanoid robots. Manufacturing partners already deploying Mobileye's autonomous vehicle technology could adopt complementary robotics solutions with minimal integration friction, creating powerful network effects that new entrants would struggle to replicate.
