Honeywell Anthem Gets Boost from NXP Partnership for Advanced Air Mobility

Honeywell and NXP showcased an expanded collaboration at CES 2025 to develop advanced flight controls and accelerate the emergence of next-generation flying vehicles. This partnership builds on an existing relationship focused on optimizing building management systems. It has ventured into the aerospace domain to drive innovations in autonomous flight, enhanced data processing, and real-time AI-driven insights.

Leveraging High-Performance Computing

This collaboration is central to integrating NXP’s high-performance processors, including the i.MX 8 and S32N, into Honeywell Anthem, is an avionics suite designed for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and conventional airplanes. These processors enable large-area, high-resolution cockpit displays with thin, sleek designs for improved pilot visibility. They also support real-time data analysis for flight operations, paving the way for safer and more efficient flying vehicles.

Autonomous Capabilities and AI

Another key element involves using AI, machine learning, and advanced connectivity to move closer to fully autonomous flight. By embedding these capabilities directly into the avionics, Honeywell Anthem can process flight data more quickly, reducing pilot workload while increasing situational awareness. This approach helps ensure smoother in-air operations, which is especially critical for eVTOL aircraft navigating congested urban airspaces.

Applications in eVTOL: Vertical Aerospace VX4

Among the early adopters is Vertical Aerospace, which tests Honeywell Anthem in its piloted VX4 prototype eVTOL aircraft. With features like integrated AI, real-time analytics, and cutting-edge cockpit displays, the VX4 benefits from faster data processing and greater operational efficiency. As advanced air mobility evolves, these technologies have the potential to simplify flights in increasingly complex skies.

Advancing Flight Planning and Management

Through this expanded partnership, Honeywell and NXP aim to streamline technology upgrades and extend the lifecycle of critical cockpit components. This will give aircraft manufacturers and operators a scalable platform for new avionics features. By making these systems easier to update, future flying vehicles can adopt the latest innovations without extensive refits or replacements.

The Honeywell and NXP collaboration signifies a major leap forward for flying vehicles. It blends aerospace expertise and high-performance computing to boost operational efficiency and lay the groundwork for a new generation of autonomous, AI-driven aircraft.