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Honda Partners with Silicon Valley Start-up for Autonomous Vehicle Software Collaboration

Auto industry giant Honda Motor Co. partners with a US AI startup they hold a stake in, under a long-term deal, aiming to advance autonomous driving technology.

Silicon Valley startup selected by Honda for autonomous driving software partnership
Silicon Valley startup selected by Honda for autonomous driving software partnership

Honda Partners with Silicon Valley Start-up for Autonomous Vehicle Software Collaboration

Honda Motor Co. has taken a significant step in the development of self-driving technology by signing a multi-year agreement with Redwood City, California-based Helm.ai Inc. This collaboration aims to produce advanced driver assistance systems for Honda's mass market vehicles by 2027.

The agreement focuses on developing end-to-end driving technology, a field where Helm.ai specialises in camera-based computerized perception and simulation software. The technology developed will enable partially automated acceleration and steering on both regular roads and highways.

This move by Honda follows the development of similar driver assistance software systems by companies such as General Motors Co., Tesla Inc., and BYD Co. Honda's goal is to realise safe and affordable automated driving technologies for its global customers.

Vladislav Voroninski, CEO of Helm.ai, leads the startup that has also worked with multiple other automakers and auto parts suppliers. Helm.ai has raised over $100 million since its founding in 2016, with Honda investing at least $30 million since 2021.

The collaboration between Honda and Helm.ai is entering the next phase of production development. However, the value or duration of the contract between the two parties was not disclosed.

It's important to note that this collaboration comes amidst a class action over self-driving claims for Tesla drivers. While no prior context was provided, this development underscores the growing importance of self-driving technology in the automotive industry.

Besides Honda Motor Co., other specific automakers collaborating or having collaborated with Redwood City, California-based Helm.ai Inc. are not mentioned in the available search results. Nevertheless, Helm.ai's technology will aid Honda in deploying advanced autonomous driving technologies in mass market vehicles.

This collaboration is part of Honda's bid to join the race to develop self-driving technology, a race that promises to reshape the future of transportation. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more partnerships and advancements in this exciting field.

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