Honeywell and NXP Semiconductors have announced an expanded partnership at CES 2025, aiming to accelerate the development of aviation technologies and pave the way for autonomous flight. Building on their existing collaboration, which focused on optimizing building management systems for energy efficiency and security, this new initiative targets cutting-edge advancements in aerospace.
The partnership will combine Honeywell’s expertise in aerospace with NXP’s high-performance computing capabilities to create AI-driven technologies that enhance flight planning and management. These innovations will also help speed up the transition to new chipsets and technologies in the aviation sector.
Together, the companies plan to advance cockpit displays with thinner, higher-resolution screens, improving both visual clarity and operational efficiency. They will also explore ways to streamline the adoption of new avionics technologies and extend the lifecycle of critical systems, delivering long-term value to aircraft manufacturers and operators.
Vimal Kapur, Chairman and CEO of Honeywell, stated, “Our deep industrial expertise, combined with NXP’s leading-edge technology, is a powerful catalyst for industries advancing toward autonomy. Together, we are developing solutions that will shape the future of automation and drive significant customer outcomes.”
NXP’s architecture, featuring high-compute capabilities, integrated cybersecurity, and functional safety, will now be adapted for aviation through Honeywell Anthem, the first cloud-connected cockpit system. This collaboration builds on previous work, including NXP processors in Honeywell’s building management, fire safety, and security products, with plans to expand into AI and machine learning for building controllers.
For aerospace applications, Honeywell will leverage a variety of NXP processors, including the i.MX 8 and S32N processors, which provide high-performance solutions that can be tailored to the needs of different aircraft. These processors will help Honeywell Anthem deliver faster data processing, enhancing safety and optimizing performance both in-flight and on the ground.
Kurt Sievers, President and CEO of NXP Semiconductors, said, “The journey toward autonomous flight requires a unique combination of high-performance processing, AI, connectivity, security, and functional safety. NXP’s extensive portfolio and system solutions approach make us a natural partner for Honeywell in creating innovative, intelligent, and autonomous avionics.”
Vertical Aerospace, a leader in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, is among the first to benefit from this collaboration. Its VX4 prototype, featuring Honeywell Anthem, is already testing how advanced computing can reduce pilot workloads and increase situational awareness, ultimately enhancing the safety and efficiency of air travel.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, commented, “Electric aircraft like the VX4 are reshaping the future of air mobility. Honeywell Anthem is already a proven platform, and with NXP’s advanced computing, we see great potential to enhance its capabilities, making travel faster, cleaner, and safer.” Honeywell and NXP are leading the charge in transforming the aviation sector, advancing the next generation of technology to shape the future of air travel.
NXP Semiconductors N.V. (NASDAQ: NXPI) is at the forefront of innovation, developing transformative technologies that enhance connectivity, security, and sustainability in a rapidly evolving world. As a global leader in secure connectivity solutions for embedded applications, NXP drives advancements across automotive, industrial, IoT, mobile, and communication infrastructure sectors. With over 60 years of expertise, a dedicated team of approximately 34,200 employees spanning more than 30 countries, and revenue of $13.28 billion in 2023, NXP is shaping a smarter, safer, and more connected future.
Honeywell operates as a unified entity serving diverse industries and regions worldwide, strategically aligned with three significant trends—automation, aviation’s future, and the energy transition. Anchored by the Honeywell Accelerator operating system and the Honeywell Forge IoT platform, the company offers practical solutions to complex global challenges. Through its Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation, and Energy and Sustainability Solutions divisions, Honeywell delivers innovative technologies that enhance intelligence, safety, security, and sustainability, supporting a smarter and more sustainable world.
