Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) and NXP ® Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) announced an expanded partnership at CES 2025 that will accelerate aviation product development and chart the path for autonomous flight. This collaboration enhances the existing relationship between the companies, aiming to optimize building management systems in sensing and securely controlling energy consumption, as announced at CES 2024.

The groundbreaking aviation collaboration will combine Honeywell’s deep aerospace expertise, the proven capabilities of Honeywell Anthem avionics, and NXP’s high-performance computing architecture. This will enable AI-driven aerospace technology that helps improve operational efficiency for planning and managing flights. The work will also support faster transitions to new chipsets and technologies.

The companies will team up to advance large-area displays for next-generation cockpits with thinner, high-resolution screens designed to improve visual clarity and system efficiency. Additionally, they will explore how to simplify and streamline migrations to newer avionic technologies and extend critical aviation technologies’ lifecycles, helping to deliver long-term value for aircraft manufacturers and operators.

“Our industrial domain expertise combined with NXP’s best-in-class technology is a powerful accelerator for industrial leaders on the path to autonomy,” said Honeywell’s chairman and CEO, Vimal Kapur. “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 domain-based architecture paves the way to autonomy, featuring high-compute capabilities, integrated cybersecurity, functional safety, and technology developed for the automotive industry. It will now be adapted for aviation applications on Honeywell Anthem, the industry’s first cloud-connected cockpit system. This is a continuation of co-creation between the two companies, which includes NXP applications processers embedded in Honeywell’s Building Management, Fire Safety and Security products. Looking ahead, the companies are expanding this work to include AI and machine learning in building controllers.

For the aerospace industry, Honeywell will utilize a variety of NXP processors, including the i.MX 8 application processors are currently used in Honeywell’s Advanced Control for Buildings platform. Additionally, they will incorporate the S32N super-integration processors. This combination provides a range of high-performance, intelligent solutions that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of different aircraft. With NXP’s processors, Honeywell Anthem will deliver faster data processing for real-time AI-driven insights, enhancing safety and optimizing air and ground performance.

“Bringing avionics closer to autonomous flight requires a unique combination of high-performance processing and AI, advanced connectivity and security, and functional safety,” said Kurt Sievers, President and CEO of NXP Semiconductors. “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.”

One of the early adopters who will benefit from this collaboration is Vertical Aerospace, a leader in eVTOL aircraft. It is currently testing its piloted VX4 prototype aircraft featuring Honeywell Anthem.

“By fulfilling the promise of advanced air mobility, electric aircraft like the VX4 represent a bold vision for the future,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Honeywell Anthem has already proven to be a competent platform, and we’re excited to explore how NXP’s advanced computing can further enhance its capabilities 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.”