AutoVehicle TechHere’s how Mercedes-Benz is keeping CarPlay and Android Auto at bayThe new MBOS system will offer a wide range of personalised features that will keep drivers engagedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
AutoVehicle TechHere’s how Mercedes-Benz is keeping CarPlay and Android Auto at bayThe new MBOS system will offer a wide range of personalised features that will keep drivers engagedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The new MBOS system will offer a wide range of personalised features that will keep drivers engaged
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
One of the biggest deciding factors for new car buyers right now is whether the car offersAppleCarPlay orAndroid Autocompatibility. We have become so used to doing everything on our phones that the idea of a car without them seems strange.
While these operating systems mirrored from our phones are handy, many car manufacturers have expanded their offerings to provide something that’s even more suited to the latest electric vehicles. One of the companies leading this progression isMercedes-Benz. Its MBUX system already provides one of the most visually appealing operating systems, with the integration of navigation and voice assistant, as well as direct access to music subscriptions such as Apple Music without having to connect your phone.
The next step for Mercedes is its MBOS system, which will launch with its new MMA platform models next year and is set to bring in a new level of ‘hyper personalisation’ to the system. Some of these upgrades are even coming to the latest 2024 models in advance, allowing users to get a more custom experience with an increased range of features.
“The car is getting hyper-personalized,” says Markus Schäfer, Mercedes’ Chief Technology Officer. “It becomes the digital you of the customer. This is a pivoting point in the relationship to a vehicle. We came from a world of having knobs and buttons in the car and then maybe phrases if you want to address commands in the car. We went to natural language understanding, which is what we have today, but now we’re taking it to the next level.”
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
Hey, Mercedes
The MBUX virtual assistant is now based on a large language model using an open AI version of Chat GPT, allowing for a more natural understanding and response. This means that users can give more conversational commands to the system and its responses will feel more human.
During a deep dive atCES, Mercedes previewed the future assistant for its upcoming MBOS platform offering a few noticeable upgrades. Firstly the assistant now has a form.
Though this is a human face – as this divided option in testing – the animated three-pointed star Mercedes-Benz badge glows different colours when it’s speaking, listening and processing. It also adds emoticons for moods.
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When the new voice assistant speaks, it can vary the tone of its voice to suit the situation and your tone. Subtle variances in a single sentence make it more formal, more relaxed or even excited, which all add to the humanising of the assistant.
The new system will also pair the navigation with driver assistance in one screen. This will show you exactly what the car sees, via its cameras, sensors and LiDar. This comes through a partnership withGoogle Mapsto deliver detailed 3D representations of the buildings and features surrounding the car as you drive, as well as other cars and pedestrians.
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
Sound Drive
Changes in the music tracks are made via the car’s sensors, so pressing the accelerator will bring in the main bass while steering and even using the window wipers can add elements to the song. It’s much like a DJ remixing a track in a club using the sliders and dials on a mixer.
The tracks have been specially developed for Sound Drive and include some well-known tunes as well as new creations. Starting out, there are around 100 tracks available on the system but more are expected to follow.
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
In-car gaming
Mercedes-Benz is one of the only companies to offer full level 3 autonomous (hands off, eyes off) driving and now sells its EQS model equipped with LiDar for this in select locations, including California, Nevada and Germany. Being able to take your eyes off the road opens up more time to enjoy the car’s entertainment, and so the latest Mercedes models are offering an extensive array of games in the car.
A new partnership with cloud gaming company, Antstream Arcade will bring a wide array of retro games to the Mercedes MBUX platform. This includes classics such as PacMan, Bubble Bobble and Space Invader and can be played on both the centre display, the passenger display and any rear displays. These are ideal for entertaining passengers on longer drives, or for all passengers when parked or charging.
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
(Image credit: Mercedes-Benz)
Though connecting your phone to your car was originally about using the car’s system for hands-free calls, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have increasingly been the providers of navigation and music services. With a system like the new MBUX and upcoming MBOS platform, it is proving that you don’t need your phone for this and that there’s plenty of innovation to come that will keep in-car systems ahead of their mirrored phone counterparts.
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