Honda said it has made an additional investment in California-based AI startup Helm.ai to accelerate the development of next-generation autonomous driving (AD) and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) for its future vehicle models.
The partnership, which began in 2019 under Honda Xcelerator, Honda’s global open innovation program, aims to integrate Helm.ai’s artificial intelligence and Deep Teaching™ technology into Honda’s ADAS platforms. Honda intends to apply the new systems to key electric and hybrid vehicles in North America and Japan around 2027.
See also: Helm.ai and Honda Join Forces to Advance Autonomous Driving AI
Mahito Shikama, Operating Executive at Honda, said the investment is a significant step in offering “a safe, reliable, and original next-generation AD/ADAS more quickly and affordably” and will contribute to Honda’s broader goal of achieving zero traffic fatalities globally by 2050.
Helm.ai’s CEO Vladislav Voroninski said the collaboration combines Honda’s engineering expertise with Helm.ai’s AI software to speed up the development and deployment of next-generation AD/ADAS systems worldwide.
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The companies signed a multi-year joint development agreement in July 2025 focused on end-to-end AI architecture capable of controlling vehicle operations from environmental perception to actuation. Honda expects the initiative to enhance high-level driver assistance across a variety of driving environments, including expressways and surface roads.
This additional investment follows an initial funding round in 2022 and reinforces the long-term collaboration between Honda and Helm.ai to bring advanced autonomous and driver-assistance technologies to production vehicles.