Mercedes-Benz has announced it is partnering with tech giant Google to advance automotive technology and develop the next-generation digital luxury car experience. Through this “long-term strategic partnership,” Mercedes-Benz will be the first car company to use Google Maps Platform’s updated in-car data and navigational features to create its own branded navigation experience.
The Google Maps Platform is a suite of APIs and tools that allows developers to integrate Google Maps and its features into their applications. A key feature is the mapping API, which provides developers with access to accurate, up-to-date maps that can be customized to fit the needs of their application. The platform has many features, such as mapping, geocoding, routing, and street view. It is used a lot in many different fields, such as transportation, logistics, real estate, retail, and more.
Integrating Google’s new features, such as Place Details, into Mercedes-Benz vehicles will provide customers with early access to these innovations. Both parties have committed to investigating additional opportunities to work together making use of Google Cloud’s AI, data, and open infrastructure services.
The partnership will also see Google Cloud and YouTube integrated into Mercedes’ upcoming MB.OS-powered vehicles. Mercedes will be able to use Google’s geospatial service, which will allow automatic rerouting, real-time traffic updates, and detailed information about places. Mercedes-Benz will use data from Google Maps to make driving features like automatic speed changes before intersections, roundabouts, and curves possible.
During a press conference held on Wednesday at the Mercedes-Benz R&D facility in Sunnyvale, California, CEO Ola Källenius characterised the licencing agreement as a “win-win” for both parties. “We’re the full architects of the stack.”
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, has stated that the scope of the partnership will go far beyond this.
The CEO said, “In addition to enabling Mercedes-Benz to design a customised navigation interface, we’ll provide our AI and data capabilities to accelerate their sustainability efforts, advance autonomous driving, and create an enhanced customer experience.”
Mercedes-Benz has spent years developing its MB.OS operating system. It is the latest operating system developed by Mercedes-Benz for its vehicles. Its key features includes;
- User interface with touchscreens and features a customizable home screen that allows drivers to access their favorite features and functions quickly.
- Integration with other systems in the vehicle, such as the instrument cluster and the infotainment system. and that allows for a more consistent and cohesive user experience.
- Digital assistant which can be activated using voice commands. This assistant can help drivers with a variety of tasks, such as setting the temperature or finding a nearby gas station.
- Vehicle health monitoring that can alert drivers to potential issues with their vehicle. This feature can help drivers to address problems early, potentially avoiding more significant repairs in the future.
Future Mercedes automobiles, codenamed “MMA” internally, will be the first to feature this operating system when they go into production at the end of 2024.
Mercedes Benz isn’t the first to integrate Google’s suite of services into its vehicles. Other automakers, such as GM, Renault, Nissan, and Ford, have also do this. The new partnership, however, puts the Luxury automaker in a position to compete with Elon Musk’s Tesla and other Chinese automakers, such as BYD.
