Honda Partners with US AI Startup for Mass-Market Self-Driving Tech by 2027

Honda has entered a multi-year partnership with Silicon Valley-based AI company Helm.ai to jointly develop advanced driver-assistive technologies aimed at mass-market vehicles by 2027. This collaboration focuses on Honda's Navigate on Autopilot (NOA) system, a partially automated driving platform designed for both highway and complex urban environments that requires constant driver attention. Honda aims for the NOA system to enhance safety and the driving experience by leveraging Helm.ai's expertise in camera-based perception and simulation software. The partnership reflects Honda's commitment to advancing safe, affordable automated driving technologies, aligning with industry leaders like GM's Super Cruise and Tesla's Autopilot. Honda has been an investor in Helm.ai since 2021, contributing at least $30 million, and views this development as a key step toward reducing traffic collision fatalities globally. Helm.ai's CEO expressed enthusiasm for progressing to production development alongside Honda's expanding in-house autonomous driving efforts.