AI @ Honda
Summary
- Honda has progressively integrated AI from 2018 onwards, beginning with concept vehicles (NeuV) combining AI and robotics, evolving into AI-assisted patent portfolio management by 2019-2020, and advancing to real-world AI-powered safety and driving assistance technologies by 2021-2025.
- Since 2022, Honda invested strategically in AI partnerships (notably Helm.ai) to develop autonomous driving features and AI-driven EV systems, culminating in the 2025 launch of the AI-enhanced 0 Series EVs with Level 3 autonomy and a new AI chip co-developed with Renesas Electronics.
- By early 2026, Honda extended AI use beyond vehicles to infrastructure, piloting AI-enabled pothole and road hazard detection feeding real-time data to road maintenance crews, demonstrating AI’s expanded role in mobility ecosystem safety and efficiency.
VIBE METER
6 AI Use Cases at Honda
Road Maintenance2026
Autonomous Driving2025Customer Facing
Manufacturing Automation2025
Marketing Optimization2024Customer Facing
Driver Assistance2021Customer Facing
Timeline
2026 Q1
Honda completed a pilot with DriveOhio using AI and onboard sensors to detect potholes and road hazards, feeding real-time data to road crews to enhance maintenance, safety, and reduce risks.
2025 Q4
Honda increased capital investment in Helm.ai to accelerate next-generation autonomous and ADAS technologies and leveraged AI to boost service revenue through data-driven marketing.
2025 Q3
Honda expanded autonomous driving capabilities by partnering with Helm.ai, leveraging end-to-end AI for environmental perception, decision-making, and vehicle actuation in the Navigate on Autopilot system.
2025 Q2
American Honda sharpened focus on AI governance and data management as part of an extensive generative AI strategy; Honda associates had research accepted at ICLR 2025 focused on agentic AI.
2025 Q1
Honda began replacing 30% of workforce with AI & robotics at a Chinese EV plant; debuted AI-powered 0 Series EVs using an AI chip by Renesas; partnered with AWS for generative AI EV charging and vehicle software improvements.
2024 Q4
Honda explored AI for stress reduction in driving through facial expression analysis and leveraged AI with smart sensors to improve manufacturing OEE.
2024 Q3
Honda launched AI-powered campaigns for EVs, expanded AI patent filings, and began joint research on AI technologies with Indian Institutes of Technology.
2024 Q2: no updates
2024 Q1
American Honda accelerated innovation with generative AI, boasting 74 AI patents and partnering with Nissan on AI/EV technologies.
2023 Q4
Honda began leveraging AI to enhance dealership marketing strategies with AI-generated videos to boost car sales.
2023 Q3: no updates
2023 Q2
Honda developed Cooperative Intelligence (Honda CI), an AI that predicts user intent, environmental context and interacts cooperatively.
2023 Q1: no updates
2022 Q4: no updates
2022 Q3: no updates
2022 Q2: no updates
2022 Q1
Honda invested in U.S.-based Helm.ai to boost AI capabilities in intelligent mobility products and autonomous driving technologies.
2021 Q4
Honda integrated AI-powered driver assistance tech for road safety, including cockpit monitoring to check driver actions and health.
2021 Q3: no updates
2021 Q2: no updates
2021 Q1: no updates
2020 Q4: no updates
2020 Q3
Honda confirmed AI's utility for managing its patent portfolio, using it to decide on patents to keep or abandon.
2020 Q2: no updates
2020 Q1: no updates
2019 Q4
Honda's IP manager Bessho Hirokazu led the adoption of AI to assess and streamline Honda’s patent portfolio.
2019 Q3: no updates
2019 Q2: no updates
2019 Q1: no updates
2018 Q4: no updates
2018 Q3: no updates
2018 Q2
Honda introduced the NeuV vehicle concept integrating AI, big data, and robotics to revolutionize commuting.