This new MB.OS is said to offer the most human-like interface with any Mercedes-Benz yet.
While many of us might still have the perception that Mercedes-Benz is still to be an automaker, it would seem that the three-pointed star has since actually convinced itself to be a tech company. Such is the only plausible reason for the luxury German marque to be making so much noise regarding its new Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), which is set to debut in its production version of the Concept CLA Class very soon.
Now one of the key features that the German automaker is keen to highlight with its new operating system (which is incidentally developed from scratch in-house) is its integrated MBUX Virtual Assistant, to which it touts to offer the most human-like interface with a Mercedes-Benz yet. As to what exactly that entails, the three-pointed star marque claims that its version of Siri will use generative AI and proactive intelligence to offer helpful suggestions based on learned behaviour and situational context.
Examples of this in action provided by the automaker includes playing the latest news in the morning or initiating a preferred massage programme at the end of the working day. And if the driver is running late for a meeting entered into the calendar, the system can offer to dial in directly from the car. If the driver wishes as well, these processes can also be automated.
The experience can be further augmented through incorporation of the vehicle’s ambient lighting and sound system too, warm light and soft music can accompany a relaxing massage. And say if the driver is really in need of company, this virtual assistant is underpinned with four so-called ‘personality traits’ consisting of Natural, Predictive, Personal, and Empathetic, which aims to replicate what it is like having a conversation with a friend.
Moving swiftly onto something less creepy and depressing meanwhile, also leveraging the power of MB.OS as well as advanced 3D game-engine graphics is the newly-introduced MBUX Surround Navigation system. This setup supposedly uses advanced 3D graphics to provide occupants with a detailed map of the world and can display different types of traffic, while route guidance can be superimposed onto the display to make navigation easier too.
As for those with the pleasure of owning the higher-end three-pointed star now, Mercedes-AMG has since announced as well that it has teamed up with will.i.am (of Black Eyed Peas fame) to launch MBUX SOUND DRIVE. A feature which in the German automaker’s own words utilises ‘a suite of sensors and advanced software’ to interpret ‘various driving dynamics – such as recuperation, acceleration, steering, and braking – and converts them into musical expressions, allowing the driver to ‘compose’ in real-time.’
For those who instead prefer listening to the spoken word in their Benzes instead, the German luxury marque has also at CES 2024 announced its newly-formed partnership with Audible and Amazon Music to begin a new chapter of in-car storytelling. By harnessing the power of Dolby Atmos, Mercedes-Benz is touting for collaboration to put its customers at the centre of a dynamic, concert-hall sound experience covering audio books, Originals, podcasts and music.
And even gamers are not to be left out by Mercedes-Benz too, with the automaker at this year’s CES further announcing its collaboration with the world’s first retro games streaming service, Antstream Arcade, to integrate its cloud gaming feature into its models. The three-pointed star also made a passing mention towards its ongoing expansion efforts of its app portfolio, which includes MBUX Collectibles, Mercedes-Benz’s first in-car app to showcase NFTs like the limited-edition Mercedes-Benz NXT Superdackel collection that pays homage to the activity at last year’s CES.
All that said though, only Mercedes-Benz paid half as much attention to its cars as it does the tech within it, there may actually still be half the reason to believe that it is still to be making some of the best cars in the world, instead of amorphous blobs with interiors of only mediocre quality…
