Mobileye has traditionally positioned itself as a technology supplier for autonomous vehicles. Now, it’s pursuing the role of operator as well.
The Intel subsidiary and publicly traded company announced Tuesday that it plans to launch a robotaxi service in a U.S. city in 2027, marking a strategic expansion beyond its core supplier model. While Mobileye did not disclose the specific city, the Israeli firm revealed it will start with a fleet of 100 autonomous vehicles, gradually deploying them throughout the year.
If the initial rollout proves successful, Mobileye aims to scale up to approximately 17,000 robotaxis over the following five years.
“The robotaxi revolution has only just begun, and its potential for transforming how we travel around the world continues to increase,” said Mobileye founder and CEO Amnon Shashua in a statement. He noted that the industry has grown increasingly reliant on a handful of technology providers and business models.
Background and Evolution
Mobileye first gained prominence by supplying automakers with millions of computer vision chips for automotive safety features and advanced driver-assistance systems. The company later shifted to developing chips and software capable of handling autonomous driving, testing the technology in several cities. Today, it supplies its self-driving system to Volkswagen and its MOIA subsidiary.
However, Mobileye now appears intent on capturing a share of the robotaxi market—even if that means competing directly with some of the same companies it supplies.
These ambitions are not entirely new. In a 2018 interview with TechCrunch, Shashua described passenger-car autonomy—where consumers could buy a fully driverless vehicle—as the “Holy Grail.” But he acknowledged that reaching that goal required first pursuing robotaxis.
“The realization is that you can’t reach that Holy Grail if you don’t go through the robotaxi business,” Shashua said at the time.
Operational and Strategic Details
Mobileye will establish a new operating unit for its robotaxi service, which will rely on the company's self-driving system. The firm plans to manage the fleet directly and will leverage Moovit, the transit and ride-hailing app it owns, to handle the consumer-facing experience.
According to Mobileye, this new venture will complement, not replace, its existing supplier business. While the company did not specify which vehicle will be used in its fleet, it noted only that it will collaborate with “AV-ready vehicle platform manufacturers.” A press release image shows what appears to be a modified Ora iQ—an electric crossover from Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors.
Looking Ahead
“This initiative is not a replacement for our existing partnerships; it is an extension of them,” said Shashua. “We remain deeply committed to enabling automakers and mobility providers with Mobileye Drive. At the same time, operating our own service allows us to accelerate adoption, gain direct operational experience, and showcase the full potential of autonomous mobility.”
As 2026 approaches, Mobileye’s dual role as both supplier and operator could reshape competitive dynamics in the autonomous vehicle industry, especially as other players like Waymo and Tesla ramp up their own services.
via TechCrunch