Honda R&D Co., Ltd. (Honda R&D)—Honda’s research and development arm—announced it has acquired California-based Drivemode, Inc., a startup dedicated to creating and operating smartphone-based connected services.

The two companies had been collaborating since 2015 through Honda’s Xcelerator program. Drivemode is known for their innovative user interface design, as well as cloud-based technologies. Drivemode will work with Honda R&D’s recently created Digital Solution Center to push innovation in the area of connected mobility services.

From the Press Release:

“As a step toward the realization of value creation for mobility and enhancing people’s daily lives, which is an integral part of Honda’s 2030 Vision, we decided to further enhance our collaborative relationship with Drivemode,” said Toshihiro Mibe, President and Representative Director of Honda R&D. “We are confident that new value creation will become possible when Drivemode’s outstanding human resources, innovative software technologies and extensive experience as a venture company are combined with Honda’s product development technology and capability. We will strive to offer connected services which will please our customers while leveraging our respective strengths.

“Since Drivemode began working with Honda in 2015, our entire company has been inspired and impressed by the entrepreneurial spirit driving Honda’s engineering and product development. Guided by our shared culture of innovation and transformation, we are proud to join Honda as their first startup acquisition,” said Yo Koga, CEO of Drivemode. “With the support of Honda, the Drivemode team can have a lasting impact on actual vehicles and drivers around the world at scale. Our focus has always been on providing safe, meaningful software solutions for drivers, and with Honda’s hardware capabilities, we can continue innovating on mobile-based technology for connected cars and motorcycles.”