Honda Officially Collaborates With AI Company, Releases Advanced Features In 2027

JAKARTA Japan's auto giant Honda made an important announcement that could potentially change the landscape of its vehicles in the next few years. Honda has officially partnered with Helm.ai, a California-based artificial intelligence (AI) company, to develop an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS). This technology is planned to start attending Honda cars by 2027.

According to the Vice President of Honda Software-Based Vehicle Business Unit, Mahito Shikama, this step was taken to improve safety and driving experience.

"This joint development supports Honda's goal of realizing safe and affordable automated driving technology for our global customers," said Shikama, quoted by Businesswire, Thursday, August 20.

"Through collaboration with Helm.ai, we are advancing AI technology that improves the implementation of autonomous driving systems in the real world, bringing us closer to a future without casualties due to traffic accidents," he added.

The core of this collaboration is the development of the Honda platform called the Navigate on Autopilot (NOA). At first glance, this system has a function similar to existing technologies such as Tesla's Autopilot or GM's Super Cruise.

According to both companies, the NOA system is designed as a semi-automatic driving system that still requires "constant attention from the driver." This system can be used both on toll roads and in more complex urban driving situations.

The NOA Honda system is built on a comprehensive AI framework capable of understanding the surrounding environment and making decisions to control vehicles. This technology helps drivers control steering wheels, accelerate, and follow routes, from traveling on expressways to facing heavy traffic conditions in the city center.

Honda plans to expand the availability of this technology across its product lines, with a launch target by 2027.