Honda Motor and IBM have announced a memorandum of understanding to jointly research and develop advanced computing technologies, including chips and software, for the next generation of vehicles. This collaboration underscores the automotive industry’s shift towards software-defined vehicles (SDVs), which are expected to redefine car functionalities and user experiences by 2030.
The partnership reflects a strategic response to the anticipated surge in demand for SDVs, vehicles primarily operated by sophisticated software systems rather than just supported by them. Such vehicles will feature capabilities for remote updates similar to those on smartphones, enhancing functionality over time without requiring physical modifications.
According to a joint statement by the two industry giants, the evolution towards more software-centric vehicles will significantly increase the complexity of vehicle design, necessitating more robust processing performance and efficient power management in semiconductors. The collaborative effort will focus on enhancing chip processing capabilities and reducing power consumption to meet these new demands.
This initiative arrives as Honda plans to increase its R&D investment to a record 1.19 trillion yen ($7.7 billion) for the fiscal year ending next March, marking a 23% increase from the previous year. The investment underscores Honda’s commitment to innovation in SDVs and electric vehicles, integral to its future strategy.
Honda President Toshihiro Mibe emphasized the necessity of advanced developments in electrification and software intelligence, noting the challenges of undertaking such advanced software technology development independently. The collaboration with IBM represents a significant step forward in tackling these complexities and setting a new standard in the automotive industry for technological integration and vehicle intelligence.
