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Helm.ai is a start-up building AI software for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADASs), level four (L4) autonomous driving, and robotics. Helm.ai does not produce sensors for autonomous vehicles, instead developing agnostic software able to understand data from a range of sensors as well as humans. Many autonomous vehicle developers rely on a combination of simulation and on-road testing, along with datasets that have been annotated by humans, to train and improve their software. Helm.ai uses an unsupervised learning approach to train its AI models without the need for large-scale fleet data, simulation, or annotation. The company states this approach is faster and reduces the cost of developing autonomous vehicle and driver assist systems.
Helm.ai sells its software to various OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in the automotive industry. Helm.ai licenses its AI software throughout the L2-L4 autonomous driving stack with perception, intent modeling, path planning, and vehicle control. The company offers a range of products, including the following:
- L2/L3 Helm Highway Pilot
- L2/L3 Helm Urban Pilot
- L4 Highway Trucking
Headquartered in Menlo Park, California, the company was founded in November 2016 by Vlad Voroninski (CEO) and Tudor Achim (CTO). The company came out of stealth in March 2020, announcing $13 million in seed funding with investment from A.Capital Ventures, Amplo, Binnacle Partners, Sound Ventures, Fontinalis Partners and SV Angel. More than a dozen angel investors also participated, including Berggruen Holdings founder Nicolas Berggruen, Quora co-founders Charlie Cheever and Adam D’Angelo, professional NBA player Kevin Durant, Gen. David Petraeus, Matician co-founder and CEO Navneet Dalal, Quiet Capital managing partner Lee Linden and Robinhood co-founder Vladimir Tenev, among others.
On November 16, 2021, the start-up announced that it raised $26 million in Series B financing led by Amplo, JMPartners, Base Capital Funding, and Freeman Group with participation from ACVC, One Way Ventures, Binnacle Partners, and individual investors. In December 2021, Honda invested in the company, strengthening its software technology development in the areas of artificial intelligence (AI) and computer vision. Honda has been working with Helm.ai since 2019 through Honda Xcelerator, a global open innovation program of Honda.
On December 19, 2022, Helm.ai announced $31 million in Series C financing led by Freeman Group with participation from venture capital firms ACVC Partners and Amplo as well as strategic investments from Honda Motor Co., Goodyear Ventures, and Sungwoo Hitech. The investment valued Helm.ai at $431 million. Brandon Freeman, founder of the Freeman Group, joined the Helm.ai board of directors as part of this financing.
