Mobileye and Luminar Forge Strategic Lidar Partnership for Autonomous Fleets
Luminar, the high-profile lidar startup poised to go public, has secured a pivotal supplier agreement with Intel-owned Mobileye to equip its autonomous vehicle fleet with cutting-edge lidar technology. Announced on November 20, 2020, this collaboration marks a significant milestone for both companies as they accelerate toward commercial self-driving solutions.
A Powerhouse Collaboration in Autonomous Mobility
This partnership pairs an emerging leader in lidar innovation with Mobileye—a dominant force in automotive vision systems. While not yet matching the scale of Mobileye’s core computer vision business, this production contract represents a strategic expansion beyond pilot programs. The companies have collaborated on development since 2018, with this agreement signaling their transition to real-world deployment.
Mobileye’s Evolution from ADAS to Robotaxi Operator
Key facts about Mobileye’s trajectory:
- Powers advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in over 54 million vehicles globally
- Acquired by Intel in 2017 for $15.3 billion
- Expanding beyond ADAS to full self-driving systems
- Developing comprehensive AV stack including:
- Visual perception technology
- Sensor fusion capabilities
- REM mapping system
- Proprietary software algorithms
In an ambitious strategic shift, Mobileye has transformed from automotive supplier to robotaxi operator, with plans to launch commercial services by 2022.
Deployment Strategy and Global Footprint
Luminar’s lidar systems will be integral to Mobileye’s first-generation autonomous fleet currently testing in:
- Dubai
- Tel Aviv
- Paris
- China
- Daegu City, South Korea
“This production deal positions us to support Mobileye’s 2022 service launch,” explained Luminar CEO Austin Russell. “Our lidar complements their camera solution, creating critical safety redundancy.”
Why This Partnership Matters
Russell highlights Mobileye’s unique position:
- Proven production expertise with tens of millions of deployed systems
- Comprehensive understanding of automotive manufacturing requirements
- Dual strategy as both operator and technology supplier
“Riding Mobileye’s wave into production vehicles presented a compelling opportunity,” Russell noted, emphasizing the long-term potential beyond initial fleet deployments.
Luminar’s Growing Automotive Portfolio
This agreement builds on Luminar’s momentum in the autonomous vehicle space:
- Volvo Partnership: Will integrate Luminar’s lidar into 2022 production vehicles, starting with XC90 models
- Daimler Collaboration: Working to develop autonomous trucking solutions for highway navigation
The Road Ahead for Autonomous Mobility
As Mobileye prepares to challenge compe*****s like Waymo, its partnership with Luminar represents a critical step in bringing commercially viable robotaxi services to market. With both companies bringing complementary strengths to this collaboration, the automotive industry watches closely as they work to make autonomous mobility a widespread reality.
