From Autonomous Mobility to Robotics
Chief Strategy and Commercialization Officer, Mentee Robotics
I take autonomous vehicles and humanoid robots from the lab to real-world deployment at scale in the world’s most competitive markets.
★ Named to Asia’s 40 Under 40 · TradeFlock
I built the China ecosystem for a global autonomous-driving leader, then brought that playbook to India. Now I’m taking humanoid robots to market.
I connect global technology with local execution across Asia.
Taking Humanoid Robots to Market
Chief Strategy and Commercialization Officer, Mentee Robotics
After eight years taking autonomous driving from pilot to production, I’m now bringing that experience to humanoid robots.
Strategy
Shaping how humanoid robots move from the lab to real-world use.
Markets and Customers
Building relationships with customers and partners across markets.
Automotive Discipline
Bringing the quality and scale lessons of autonomous driving to robotics.
Read my thinking: Human 2.0 · Where India is heading
What Others Say
Asia’s 40 Under 40 · TradeFlock, 2024 ↗ “Elie is one of the most dynamic voices shaping mobility innovation in Asia.”
“A true cross-market leader bridging Tel Aviv and Shanghai with clarity and results.”
“He doesn’t just plan; he executes with precision. A rare blend of strategist and operator.”
Three Markets. One Strategy.
China
Chinese-speaking and working in and with China since university. Built the ecosystem from the ground up with leading automakers and Tier 1s.
India
Moved to Bengaluru in 2024 to scale the business: automaker programs, local manufacturing partners and public-private alliances for driver assistance and autonomy.
Israel
My home base and deep-tech hub, connecting world-class engineering with execution across Asia.
Leading in China and India
As a senior executive at a global autonomous-driving leader, I led its growth in China and India. Today, as Chief Strategy and Commercialization Officer at Mentee Robotics, I’m taking humanoid robots to market. I also invest in and mentor early-stage Physical SI founders.
My China story began at university, where I learned Chinese and started working in and with China.
With a background in elite military service and international strategy, I turn ambitious technology into products that ship. My expertise spans autonomous driving, advanced driver assistance (ADAS), infrastructure and regulatory policy, and now humanoid robotics.
Key achievements:
- Helped secure a landmark nomination for an advanced-driving program with a leading Chinese automotive group.
- Built and managed partnerships with leading Chinese automakers and Tier 1 suppliers.
- Expanded ADAS adoption across Asia through foundational programs and policy work.
On the Record
Selected public announcements from programs I was part of in China and India.
next-generation Mahindra models selected for advanced driver assistance, announced in February 2026.
Source ↗cloud-enhanced driver assistance in China, launched with Chery’s EXEED brand and WBTL in January 2024.
Source ↗first nomination for a premium hands-free driving system, with Geely, unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show. It launched on the Zeekr 001.
Source ↗From public company and media announcements. Follow the links for the originals.
Milestones Across Three Markets
From learning Chinese at university to helping launch India’s first ADAS Test City.
- Now Mentee Robotics
Chief Strategy and Commercialization Officer
Taking humanoid robots to market, building on eight years in autonomous driving.
- Feb 2026 Jerusalem
Presenting to Prime Ministers Modi and Netanyahu
Presented advanced-driving technology and plans to build it in India at an India-Israel innovation exhibition.
Source ↗ - Feb 2026 Pune
Keynote at the launch of India’s first ADAS Test City
Opened The ADAS Show at ARAI’s new test track, a milestone for road safety in India.
Source ↗ - Oct 2025 India
Localizing next-generation ADAS for India
Working with VVDN Technologies to develop and manufacture driver-assistance systems in India, for India and beyond.
Source ↗ - Jun 2025 Bengaluru
Can India democratise ADAS? With Tata Motors’ CTO
For ETAuto, I spoke with Sven Patuschka, CTO of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, about locally validated technology, affordable architectures, and systems that help drivers without getting in their way.
Source ↗ - Q4 2024 Bengaluru
Moved to India
Relocated to Bengaluru to lead the India business on the ground, working with Indian automakers, suppliers and regulators.
- Sep 2024 Tianjin
TEDA Forum keynote
On how Chinese automakers can go global, and the export challenges ahead.
Source ↗ - Apr 2024 Beijing
First public urban test drives at Auto China
Hosted a technology exhibition and the first public city-navigation test drives at Auto China 2024.
Source ↗ - Jan 2024 China
Two firsts for China’s ADAS market
China’s first cloud-enhanced driver assist with Chery’s EXEED brand and WBTL, and mass production of a next-generation ADAS system with HiRain.
Source ↗ - Sep 2023 Changchun
Strategic cooperation with FAW Group
Signed a strategic memorandum with China’s oldest automaker on driver assistance and autonomy. Pictured with FAW Group Chairman Qiu Xiandong.
Source ↗ - Mar 2023 Jiading, Shanghai
Opened a technology testing center
A dedicated center to accelerate validation with Chinese automakers.
Source ↗ - Aug 2021 Hangzhou
Zeekr ecosystem partnership
Joined the Zeekr ecosystem signing with Zeekr CEO An Conghui (Andy An), now Chairman of Geely Automobile Holdings, as advanced driving launched on the Zeekr 001.
Source ↗ - Nov 2020 Shanghai
Signing on the main stage of the China International Import Expo
Strategic cooperation with SAIC’s Heading Data Intelligence to bring crowdsourced high-definition mapping to China.
Source ↗ - Sep 2020 Beijing
Landmark advanced-driving nomination with Geely
The first nomination for a premium hands-free driving system, unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show.
Source ↗ - 2018 Shanghai
Moved to China
Joined the China team of a global autonomous-driving leader to lead strategy and business development.
- University Israel & China
Where the China story began
Learned Chinese at university and began working in and with China.
Backing the Builders of Physical SI
I back early-stage founders building autonomy, robotics and intelligent infrastructure.
Airbound
Blended-wing delivery drones designed to make one-cent deliveries possible at scale. I invested at seed in 2025, alongside Lachy Groom and Lightspeed. Greenoaks and DoorDash have since joined in its $37M Series A.
Read about Airbound on TechCrunch ↗Speaking
From expo stages in Shanghai to industry panels in India, I speak about taking autonomous vehicles and robots from vision to scale.
Topics
- Scaling Physical SI from pilot to production
- Winning with Chinese automakers and Tier 1s
- India’s mobility and manufacturing leap
- From ADAS to humanoid robotics
- Building trust across borders: China, India, Israel
Essays and Perspectives
Where India Is Heading: Mobility, Manufacturing and Physical SI
India is shaping its mobility and manufacturing future on its own terms. What global firms misunderstand, and where the opportunity lies.
September 8, 2026Human 2.0: Working Alongside Physical Superintelligence
Physical superintelligence will not replace people. It will extend our hands, time and judgment, and leaders must design for that now.
Moments Along the Way
Signing rooms, stages and mountain trails across China, India and Israel.
In the Press
- Can India democratise ADAS? In conversation with Tata Motors’ CTO Sven Patuschka ↗
- The ADAS Show 2026 at the launch of India’s first dedicated ADAS Test City ↗
- 2026 and 2027 will be defining years for ADAS in India ↗
- Localizing ADAS for India, with hands-off driving in sight ↗
- Localizing ADAS in India with VVDN ↗
- Interview: China is leading global progress in intelligent driving ↗
- Exclusive interview: the comeback in intelligent driving ↗
- Interview: Chinese drivers love technology, and safety must not be the cost-cutting item ↗
- Chinese automakers going global: strategy and export challenges ↗
- Asia’s 40 Under 40 ↗
Let’s Talk
Strategic Partnerships · Market Expansion · Technology Deployment · Investments
Working on Physical SI, robotics, or large-scale transformation? If you’re a founder, investor, policymaker, or partner, I’d like to hear from you.