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Honda-backed Helm.ai Unveils Vision System for Self-Driving Cars

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Helm.ai, a California-based startup backed by Honda Motor, introduced its new camera-based urban environment interpretation system called Helm.ai Vision. The company is negotiating with multiple automakers to integrate its self-driving technology into mass-market vehicles.

Helm.ai is collaborating with Honda to embed the system in the upcoming 2026 Honda Zero series of electric vehicles, which will enable hands-free driving and allow drivers to take their eyes off the road.

CEO and founder Vladislav Voroninski told Reuters that the company’s business model centers on licensing this software, including foundation model software, to automakers. Helm.ai’s vision-focused system aligns with Tesla’s approach, relying on cameras rather than sensors like lidar or radar, which can add significant costs.

Voroninski acknowledged Helm.ai’s foundation models can work with other sensors but emphasized that the primary offering remains vision-centric. Industry experts, however, highlight that supplementary sensors such as lidar and radar are vital for safety, especially under poor visibility conditions.

In contrast, robotaxi companies like Alphabet’s Waymo and May Mobility use a sensor fusion approach combining radar, lidar, and cameras to ensure comprehensive environment perception.

Helm.ai has raised $102 million to date, with investors including Goodyear Ventures, Korean auto parts maker Sungwoo HiTech, and Amplo.

The Helm.ai Vision system merges inputs from multiple cameras to create a bird’s-eye view map that enhances vehicle planning and control. It is optimized for hardware platforms from Nvidia, Qualcomm, and others, facilitating automakers’ integration of Helm.ai Vision into existing vehicle systems.

Ecarx in Talks with Volkswagen to Develop Smart Cars for Europe, US

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Ecarx, a Chinese digital cockpit system developer, is in discussions with Volkswagen to integrate its advanced technologies into smart cars for developed markets, including Europe and the United States, according to Ecarx’s CEO, Shen Ziyu. The two companies are looking to extend their current partnership, which already includes collaboration in Brazil and India. In these markets, Ecarx’s Antora 1000 digital cockpit system—featuring proprietary chips, voice recognition, and navigation services—powers Volkswagen’s smart car offerings.

The expanded partnership would bring Ecarx’s products into Skoda-branded cars sold in Europe. Shen confirmed discussions about entering the U.S. market, although the current deal with Volkswagen does not yet include this scope. However, Ecarx’s technologies are already present in Volvo and Lotus vehicles in the U.S., as both brands are owned by Geely, the parent company of Ecarx.

A Volkswagen spokesperson clarified that the cooperation with Ecarx is currently limited to providing an infotainment system for internal combustion engine vehicles sold in Brazil and India, with no other technical involvement at this stage. Meanwhile, Skoda declined to comment on the ongoing discussions.

This move highlights growing interest among Western automakers in leveraging Chinese expertise in smart driving technologies. As traditional car sales have been hit by declining demand in China, companies like Volkswagen are turning to Chinese suppliers to stay competitive in the global market. Mercedes-Benz recently made headlines by collaborating with Hesai, a Chinese firm, to equip its vehicles with lidar sensors, marking the first instance of a foreign automaker using Chinese technology for models sold outside China.

Shen emphasized that it took over a year for Volkswagen to choose Ecarx as its smart technology supplier, with other candidates including LG and Samsung from South Korea, as well as Chinese rival Desay SV. He also noted that the development of software for consumer electronics, including semiconductors, is largely still based in Asia, which has contributed to challenges in software development in Europe.

Ecarx, which generates 70% of its revenue from Geely and its affiliated brands, aims to reduce this reliance to under 50% by 2028. The company plans to diversify further by growing its international revenue, with a goal of generating half of its income from overseas by 2030. To support this, Ecarx has been building R&D teams outside of China to mitigate concerns about geopolitical risks tied to Chinese technologies.

Shen also emphasized that China’s competitive cost structure can help strengthen the company’s supply chain globally. The shorter product cycles typically seen in China—lasting just three years—can be extended to 10 or 15 years in international markets, according to Shen.