Major Automaker Chooses Mobileye for Self-Driving Tech, CES 2024

Israeli self-driving tech company Mobileye has confirmed a significant win at CES.

The company, based in Jerusalem, will provide automated driving solutions for what is described as a “major Western automaker” from 2026 onwards.

Although the company is remaining tight-lipped as to the identity of the manufacturing group – for now – it did provide some clues.

It said that Mobileye’s three key platforms – Mobileye SuperVision, Mobileye Drive and Mobileye Chauffeur – will be used across multiple brands for 17 internal combustion and electric vehicle models.

Given the number of cars and brands involved, there are only a handful of potential companies that it could be.

Mobileye software will ensure that each brand gets a degree of customization and personalization to differentiate the driving experiences, and the advanced driver assistance systems and automated solutions will be offered over “a broad range of geographies.”

The different platforms involved deliver varying degrees of automation. SuperVision facilitates hands-off, eyes-on driving by leveraging AI-powered surround computer vision and radar for navigate-on-pilot functionality on highways, and rural and urban roads in specific operational design domains.

Mobileye Chauffeur will offer eyes-off, hands-off advanced driving assistance solutions in specified locations by adding more radar and lidar, plus extra computing power, essentially serving as a scalable upgrade from SuperVision.

Related:Mobileye Seals Another Huge Deal for Its Self-Driving Tech

Most excitingly of all, the two companies are aiming to bring fully autonomous vehicles – such as self-driving taxis – into production powered by the Mobileye Drive platform. This leverages computer vision, more lidar and Mobileye imaging radar, with initial driverless deployments targeted for 2026.  

All systems will use the Mobileye EyeQ™6H systems-on-chip.

Mobileye CEO Amnon Shashua said: “These design wins represent an historic milestone in the development of automated driving, and will greatly increase its availability to customers globally.

“Execution of these production programs will set the standard for software-driven intelligent driving, leveraging the expertise of both companies at volume to serve customers around the world.”   

The fact Mobileye has seen fit to reveal that the automaker involved is Western is interesting, given its recent successes in China, where it has signed a deal with FAW, and also has a thriving partnership with Geely, which has Volvo, Lotus, Polestar and Smart in its stable.

The announcement of the win is well timed, too, after a plunge in the value of Mobileye shares following a warning that revenues are expected to drop massively (from $458 million in Q1 last year to around $230 million in 2024).

Related:Mobileye Driverless Tech Extends to More Geely Brands

Some analysts believe this is just a temporary blip due to automakers over-ordering components in the immediate wake of the shortages caused by the pandemic.