The new multimedia platform that Mercedes-Benz will install on board its vehicles from the 2025 model year is called MB.OS.
Its interface, called Mercedes, will evoke very human emotions. Serious, funny, emotional, she relies on generative AI, a particularly intuitive voice command, to embody Mercedes. The German brand hopes no less to redefine the user experience in the car.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The brand new MB.OS system from Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz operating system
Those in the know will have guessed it: MB.OS is the abbreviation that the German manufacturer uses to describe its new system, the full name of which is Mercedes-Benz Operating System. This system combines the necessary hardware and software to bring to life various information or entertainment applications on board Mercedes-Benz vehicles, regardless of whether they are connected to the Internet or not.
It is a scalable platform, meaning the manufacturer can send updates remotely to keep it current. This platform is intended to be a relatively open software environment on which applications and services of all kinds can coexist. Even if, for example, the connected interfaces for CarPlay and Android Auto phones from Apple and Google are not natively integrated into MB.OS, there is nothing to prevent these applications from being installed later.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz promises that its system will be open and can support applications created by third parties such as video games or online shopping applications. Without confirming that MB.OS is entirely based on the free Android platform, a company spokesperson nevertheless stated that third-party applications developed by MB.OS will likely work on Android.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The future Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS)
Applications on request
Mercedes-Benz is apparently planning to expand its MB.OS system to include an application and service store. It aims to offer free and other services offered in the form of a subscription. The manufacturer will try to find a balance between what is normally offered for free – such as basic navigation information – and what drivers want to pay for – such as an advanced navigation assistant that can avoid traffic jams.
There will also be many video games. Mercedes-Benz has partnered with online video game platform Antstream Arcade to integrate into its multimedia system a catalog of arcade-style video games to entertain young and old on the go or even while stationary.
All in all, we are talking about very lucrative potential for Mercedes-Benz, which says it has already made $1 billion through this formula and aims to generate at least $2 billion per year from 2025.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The MB.OS system, applications
Hello Mercedes!
Mercedes-Benz describes its user interface as “hyper-personalized.” Whether through music, navigation, voice commands or recommendations, every interaction with the multimedia interface is designed to adapt to the context in which it takes place. According to the Stuttgart company, the future of driving will be more intuitive, immersive and personal.
In any case, it's more interactive than ever. The interface, which will gradually appear on board future vehicles, can be activated by simply saying the name: “Hey Mercedes!”. It will then be possible to speak to it naturally, and it will respond just as naturally Meet the resident's wishes.
Mercedes-Benz uses generative AI to bring this very modern incarnation of the Mercedes interface to life. In addition to the voice, the AI is presented in the form of a 3D animation displayed on the vehicle's center console screen. We see the Mercedes-Benz star waddle, adopting a color and posture that indicates the system is either listening, thinking, or ready to communicate its suggestions.
The aim of this interface is to reduce the space for touch controls, which, as we know, distract the driver while driving.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
The new personalized MB.OS multimedia platform
Dolby Atmos on board
A novelty in the world of digital music in recent months is the introduction of the immersive sound environment Dolby Atmos. It's a form of surround sound, but not the kind you get in a home theater with a five-speaker system. It is a sound environment that is called spatial, in the sense that it creates the impression that different sounds are coming from different places around the listener.
Mercedes-Benz has been using Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio for some time. Partnering with Amazon can take the concept of reading Kindle audiobooks even further. The voices of the characters in the books that we hear on board the vehicle will have their own presence in the room, which should make the conversation on board a little more pleasant to the ear.
Apparently, Kindle audio books in Dolby Atmos format will initially only be offered in English.
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
Michael Hafner, Vice President of the MB.OS Base Layer & MBUX project at Mercedes-Benz
MBUX sound drive
Mercedes-Benz is obviously looking for new forms of entertainment in its vehicles. On the musical side, Mercedes, in collaboration with American artist will.i.am, plans to soon offer cutting-edge music technology that offers a unique interactive experience.
Imagine sitting behind the wheel and immersing yourself in a world of sound where the music responds to your movements, the environment and your mood. This is the MBUX Sound Drive app, a music service that combines the passion for music with cutting-edge technology to create a revolutionary audio experience. The app currently contains a handful of songs, but they can be played endlessly.
The tempo, the lyrics, the chorus and the instruments depend on the driving behavior of the vehicle. This creates a more immersive driving experience and an emotional connection to the vehicle, something that is very important to performance vehicle brands such as the AMG division of Mercedes-Benz.
It just remains to be seen whether Mercedes will be able to hum the lyrics along with the vehicle's occupants…
Photo: Mercedes-Benz
MBUX sound drive