At CES 2025, Honeywell and NXP® Semiconductors N.V. revealed an enhanced collaboration aimed at revolutionizing aviation innovation and paving the way toward autonomous air travel.
This builds on their prior partnership, first announced at CES 2024, which focused on optimizing building management systems by enabling secure and efficient energy control.
The partnership blends Honeywell’s aerospace expertise with NXP’s advanced computing technology to deliver AI-enabled solutions that improve flight operations and planning. The collaboration will also speed up the adoption of next-generation chipsets and avionics technology.
The two companies aim to advance cockpit designs by creating thinner, high-resolution displays that enhance visual clarity and system performance. Additionally, they are exploring ways to simplify technology upgrades, extend product lifecycles, and provide long-term value to aircraft manufacturers and operators.
Vimal Kapur, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell, said, “Our industrial domain expertise combined with NXP’s best-in-class technology is a powerful accelerator for industrial leaders on the path to autonomy.
“Working together, we are developing differentiated solutions and services that shape the future of automation, driving significant customer outcomes and fueling Honeywell’s growth.”
NXP’s cutting-edge architecture enables autonomy through powerful computing, integrated cybersecurity, and functional safety features initially developed for automotive applications. These capabilities will now support Honeywell Anthem, the first cloud-connected cockpit system in the industry. This collaboration continues to build on NXP’s processors, already utilized in Honeywell’s building management and safety products, now expanding to include AI and machine learning enhancements for building controllers.
In aerospace, Honeywell plans to integrate various NXP processors, such as i.MX 8 and S32N super-integration chips, to create high-performance, intelligent solutions tailored to meet the needs of diverse aircraft. These processors will help Honeywell Anthem process data more efficiently, delivering real-time AI-driven insights to enhance safety and optimize flight performance.
Kurt Sievers, President and CEO, NXP Semiconductors, added, “Bringing avionics closer to autonomous flight requires a unique combination of high-performance processing and AI, advanced connectivity and security, and functional safety.
“NXP’s broad portfolio and systems solutions approach makes us a natural partner for Honeywell on the journey towards creating innovative, intelligent, and autonomous avionics that can sense, think, and act.”
Vertical Aerospace, a pioneer in eVTOL technology, stands among the first adopters to benefit from this collaboration. The company is currently testing its VX4 prototype, which features Honeywell Anthem.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, added, “By fulfilling the promise of advanced air mobility, electric aircraft like the VX4 represent a bold vision for the future.
“Honeywell Anthem has already proven to be a highly capable platform, and we’re excited to explore how its capabilities can be further enhanced by NXP’s advanced computing to lessen pilot workloads while increasing situational awareness. Together, we see opportunities to make travel quicker, cleaner, and safer, supporting our shared vision to transform how the world moves.”
