Honda Partners with Helm.ai to Advance Autonomous Driving Technology
Honda Motor Co. has entered a multi-year agreement with Helm.ai, a California-based developer of autonomous driving software, to develop its next-generation self-driving systems. The partnership focuses on enhancing AI-powered advanced driver assist systems and expanding Honda’s "Navigate on Autopilot" platform for future mass-market vehicles.
Mahito Shikama, VP of Honda’s Software Defined Vehicle Business Supervisory Unit, emphasized that this collaboration supports Honda’s objective of delivering safe, affordable automated driving solutions to customers worldwide.
Software-Driven Vehicle Development
The move highlights a growing trend among automakers to adopt a software-first approach, integrating AI technologies into their vehicle lineups. Honda will leverage Helm.ai’s AI software to develop and validate autonomous systems suitable for both highways and urban settings.
The partnership builds on previous cooperation since 2019 through Honda’s Xcelerator program, which fosters collaboration with startups on advanced mobility tech. Honda’s 2021 investment in Helm.ai further strengthened its capabilities in AI and computer vision software.
Shikama noted that the joint efforts aim to enhance AI technologies for real-world autonomous driving, moving closer to eliminating traffic collision fatalities.
Advancing from Level 2 to Level 3 Automation
Honda’s existing Navigate on Autopilot system operates at SAE Level 2, requiring continuous human supervision. With Helm.ai, Honda is developing an upgraded system targeting Level 3 automation, capable of managing steering, braking, and acceleration over entire journeys. Mass production is planned for post-2027 models.
Vladislav Voroninski, CEO and founder of Helm.ai, expressed enthusiasm about progressing to production development with Honda, as the automaker expands its internal efforts to deploy autonomous driving technologies in mainstream vehicles.
Helm.ai’s Technology Stack
- Helm.ai Vision: A perception system that identifies surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, lane markings, and road signs. Announced as a scalable, production-grade system supporting SAE Level 2+ and Level 3 automation.
- Helm.ai Driver: A deep neural network-based path prediction model responsible for decision-making and navigation.
- Simulation Platforms: Four simulation models designed for training autonomous systems safely in virtual environments.
The foundation models are pre-trained on extensive real-world datasets and can be customized to Honda’s specific requirements. Helm.ai’s approach uses cameras and end-to-end AI learning without relying on lidar or high-definition maps, similar to Tesla’s Autopilot system.
Industry Context and Software Innovation
Honda’s partnership with Helm.ai mirrors recent collaborations between traditional automakers and software-focused startups. For example, General Motors expanded its collaboration with Nvidia to integrate AI in future vehicles, and Toyota teamed up with Waymo to co-develop autonomous vehicle platforms.
In parallel, Honda launched its Software Studio Osaka in April, consolidating software teams working on automated driving and advanced driver assist technologies.
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