Mobileye, a prominent supplier of autonomous vehicle technology, has introduced its Brain6 software, marking a significant upgrade to its advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) while also enabling new opportunities in infotainment. The Mobileye Brain6 software is built on mapping data sourced from vehicles that use Mobileye technology, offering a combination of improved AI-driven features and vision-based systems.
The Mobileye Drive™ #selfdriving system is based on an array of our advanced technologies.
It includes 4 EyeQ™ 6H chips and features True Redundancy™, with two independent perception systems (camera-based and radar/lidar-based) designed to support full autonomous… pic.twitter.com/CEOvrfXKsT
— Mobileye (@Mobileye) August 12, 2024
The company, known for its EyeQ sensor technology, has paired Brain6 with the new EyeQ6 chip to provide a driving assistance system that Mobileye claims is “two orders of magnitude” better than current alternatives. According to CEO Amnon Shashua, this advancement not only strengthens Mobileye’s core ADAS offerings but also opens the door for integrating the software into vehicle infotainment systems—a first for the company.
AI-Enhanced Mapping for Better Driving Assistance
Mobileye Brain6 software leverages data collected from millions of vehicles, which is then enhanced by AI to create a more natural and intuitive driving experience. The crowdsourced mapping data helps Brain6 adapt to a wide range of road conditions and provides insights into driving behavior, offering more precise support for semi-autonomous and fully autonomous driving.
This technology will first be available in vehicles next year, with Volkswagen Group confirmed as a customer. Shashua noted that Mobileye’s technology is embedded in Volkswagen’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, which powers new models like the Porsche Macan electric and Audi Q6 E-Tron.
Regardless of whether an automaker is making a major leap into building new technologies or advancing with smaller steps, Mobileye has the experience and know-how to support them through this transformative decision, as Director of Technical Business Development Naama Symonds… pic.twitter.com/eZKT3eMRwh
— Mobileye (@Mobileye) August 14, 2024
Competitive Pricing Against Tesla’s FSD
One of the critical advantages of the Mobileye Brain6 and EyeQ6 combination is its pricing. Shashua emphasized that it is half the price of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Level 2 package. “We understand that the path to widespread adoption of autonomous driving technology hinges on cost-effectiveness,” Shashua said during a recent earnings call. The modular software design also allows automakers to integrate Brain6 into different vehicle systems, including infotainment, creating new business models for car manufacturers.
Strategic Expansion into New Markets
Mobileye, whose technology is already in over 150 million cars worldwide, is expanding its reach with Brain6 by offering more flexible and customizable software solutions. The company plans to provide more details about Brain6 at an investor event scheduled for December in Berlin. Beyond ADAS, Mobileye is pushing further into higher levels of automation with products like its Chauffeur and Drive systems, which will soon be featured in Volkswagen’s autonomous passenger vans and Rimac’s Verne robotaxi service.
Shashua also highlighted Mobileye’s strategic shift toward offering more adaptable solutions. In January, Mobileye introduced its DXP operating system, a customizable layer that allows automakers to have more control over software while still benefiting from Mobileye’s situational awareness capabilities.
Financial Performance and Market Outlook
Despite these technological advances, Mobileye reported an operating loss of $94 million in the second quarter, compared to a loss of $33 million during the same period last year.
Insider transaction alert: Shashua Amnon buys over $20.9M worth of Mobileye Global Inc. shares. #MBLY #insidertracking $MBLYhttps://t.co/ImmyfHPmpp pic.twitter.com/bdmc8WsY20
— SharksTracker (@sharks_tracker) August 15, 2024
The company also warned of lower revenue in the second half of the year due to slower sales of key models in China. Nevertheless, the expansion of Brain6 into new domains like infotainment offers a path for future growth and diversification.
Will Brain6 Drive the Shift Toward Modular ADAS and Infotainment Integration?
Mobileye’s Brain6 software signals a shift toward modular, customizable solutions that offer automakers more control over their in-car systems. With the integration of infotainment features into traditional ADAS, will this approach redefine how car manufacturers design user experiences? As automakers increasingly seek to balance cost with innovation, could Mobileye’s strategy to focus on modular, AI-enhanced systems become the new standard for both autonomous driving and connected vehicle platforms?
Let us know your thoughts on whether modular software will be the key to broad ADAS adoption, and how this may impact future vehicle architectures.
