Mobileye and Sixt to Launch Robotaxi Service in Germany

Robotaxi Service Planned for Munich by Mobileye and Sixt

A collaborative effort between Intel’s subsidiary, Mobileye, and the vehicle rental firm Sixt SE, will result in the launch of a robotaxi service in Munich, Germany, anticipated for next year. This announcement was made jointly by the CEOs of both organizations during the IAA Mobility show held on Tuesday.

Leveraging Existing Technologies

The forthcoming robotaxi service will integrate the entirety of Intel’s, and specifically Mobileye’s, technological resources. These include developments made internally and acquisitions completed in recent years. A key component is the $900 million acquisition of Moovit in 2020, an Israeli startup specializing in the analysis of urban traffic and the provision of transportation recommendations, with a particular emphasis on public transport options.

Accessing the Service

Riders will be able to utilize the robotaxi service through the established Moovit application. Furthermore, access will be provided via Sixt’s mobility ONE app, offering customers a comprehensive platform for hailing rides, vehicle rentals, sharing options, and subscription services.

Phased Rollout and Testing

The initial phase will not represent a full-scale commercial deployment. Mobileye’s robotaxis are slated to commence with an early-rider test program on the streets of Munich in 2022. Following the pattern of similar programs, this will likely involve inviting and approving select groups of riders before expanding the service.

Transition to commercial operations is contingent upon receiving the necessary regulatory approvals, as stated by the companies involved.

Expansion Plans

Intel and Mobileye have outlined plans to extend the service throughout Germany and into other European nations later this decade. Germany was specifically chosen due to its recent legislative changes permitting the operation of driverless vehicles on public roadways, and because Mobileye already conducts autonomous vehicle testing within the country.

Regulatory Support

“Germany has demonstrated global leadership in fostering the future of autonomous mobility through the swift enactment of vital AV legislation,” stated Intel CEO Gelsinger during his address at IAA. “The possibility of initiating robotaxi operations in Munich next year is directly attributable to this progressive new law.”

Vehicle Unveiling and Technology

During the IAA keynote, Mobileye showcased the vehicles branded with MoovitAV and SIXT. These vehicles are equipped with Mobileye’s autonomous driving system and will be manufactured at scale for use in the German robotaxi service. They also incorporate Luminar’s Iris series production sensor, a key component in the vehicle’s perception system.

Mobileye’s Broader Capabilities

While widely recognized for its provision of computer vision technology to automakers for advanced driver-assistance systems – a sector generating nearly $967 million in sales last year – Mobileye has concurrently been engaged in the development of fully automated vehicle technology.

Mobileye Drive System Components

The self-driving system, now known as Mobileye Drive, comprises a system-on-chip compute unit, redundant sensing subsystems utilizing camera, radar, and lidar technologies, the REM mapping system, and a rules-based Responsibility-Sensitive Safety (RSS) driving policy.

Mobileye’s REM mapping system utilizes a crowdsourcing approach, leveraging data from over 1 million vehicles equipped with its technology to create high-definition maps. These maps support both ADAS and autonomous driving functionalities.

Data Collection and Mapping

The data collected is not in the form of video or images, but rather as compressed text, amounting to approximately 10 kilobits per kilometer. Mobileye has established data collection agreements with six original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), including BMW, Nissan, and Volkswagen, utilizing the EyeQ4 chip in their vehicles.

Data is also gathered from fleet vehicles through an aftermarket product sold to commercial operators.

Strategic Vision

According to Mobileye President and CEO Amnon Shashua, this strategy will enable the company to efficiently launch and operate commercial robotaxi services, while simultaneously bringing the technology to consumer passenger vehicles by the year 2025.