Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced a significant investment in California-based Helm.ai to enhance the development of next-generation autonomous driving and advanced driver-assistance systems.

Target Information

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has announced an additional investment in Helm.ai, a California-based startup specializing in artificial intelligence (AI) technology based on unsupervised learning. This strategic move aims to enhance Honda's collaboration with Helm.ai in developing next-generation autonomous driving (AD) systems and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) utilizing an end-to-end (E2E) approach. Established in November 2016, Helm.ai has been a valuable partner for Honda since 2019 through the Honda Xcelerator program, a global open innovation initiative.

Following an initial investment by Honda in 2022, both companies have successfully strengthened their collaboration, significantly advancing research and the development of innovative solutions that integrate Helm.ai's advanced AI technology with Honda's existing systems. In July 2025, Honda and Helm.ai signed a long-term collaboration agreement focused on the development of E2E AI-based AD and ADAS technologies, encompassing the entire process from environmental perception to decision-making and vehicle control.

Industry Overview

The autonomous driving technology sector is experiencing substantial growth globally, with countries like the United States being at the forefront of innovation. As automotive manufacturers strive to enhance safety and effic