We’re all still in the hype of the CES 2024, where there are so many players on the front showcasing their efforts and new or upgraded products to the public. In this article, we’re to continue the in-car interactive experience from Volkswagen with their IDA voice assistant that uses OpenAI’s ChatGPT, to Mercedes-Benz MBUX voice assistant having an upgrade too, aiming to enhance the in-car interactive experience. Let’s take a look at the upgrades of the Mercedes-Benz MBUX voice assistant for their cars.
Supercharging Mercedes-Benz MBUX Voice Assistant
A Brief Introduction: Mercedes-Benz MBUX
The Mercedes-Benz MBUX voice assistant was first introduced in 2018 and is short for “Mercedes-Benz User Experience”. The Mercedes-Benz MBUX voice assistant in Mercedes vehicles features voice-command functionalities, enabling drivers to initiate commands with the phrase “Hey, Mercedes”, followed by a brief instruction for tasks such as adjusting the vehicle’s temperature, setting a navigation destination, or making a phone call.
Upgrades on the Mercedes-Benz MBUX
In this recent announcement, Mercedes-Benz are enhancing their in-car MBUX with generative AI, aiming for more natural interactions and personalised driver experiences.
The Mercedes-Benz MBUX voice assistant will utilise a Large Language Model (LLM) for natural dialogue and responding to customer inquiries. It will incorporate four distinct “Personality traits”: Natural, predictive, personal, and empathetic. Mercedes-Benz asserted that the interaction will feel akin to a conversation with a friend, as the assistant provides answers based on general knowledge and can intelligently pose questions to clarify intent and draw conclusions.
The assistant is customisable to align with the driver’s preferences, allowing adjustments to tone and speaking style. Whether you prefer a more empathetic response on days when traffic is causing delays, the MBUX assistant can accommodate your preferences.
The enhanced MBUX assistant will operate on the upcoming MB.OS operating system, aiming to establish “The most human-like interface with a Mercedes-Benz yet”, according to the company. Noteworthy examples include predictive actions such as playing the morning’s news headlines upon entering the vehicle or suggesting to dial into a meeting if the owner’s calendar indicates a delay.
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What Is the Updated Mercedes-Benz MBUX Based On?
Mercedes collaborate with various suppliers, and among them, NVIDIA provide water-cooled chips to fuel their MB.OS system. NVIDIA specialise in high-powered GPUs and automotive-grade systems-on-a-chip, supporting various car clients in implementing features such as advanced driver assistance, in-car graphics, and AI capabilities.
As for the company that support the generative AI of this Mercedes-Benz MBUX, Mercedes refused to give an answer. According to Mercedes-Benz spokesperson Cathleen Decker, she mentioned that “The company works with a range of technology partners to develop and implement the latest advancements in artificial intelligence and natural language processing,” in an email to The Verge, and she also added, “Mercedes-Benz is committed to working with the best partners in the industry to ensure that the MBUX system remains at the forefront of automotive technology.”
When Will the Updated Mercedes-Benz MBUX Be Released?
Mercedes announces that the initial vehicles with the MBUX featuring MB.OS will debut with the upcoming Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA), scheduled for a 2025 release. The Concept CLA, making its North American debut at CES in Las Vegas, provides a glimpse of the anticipated appearance of these vehicles as they approach production.
The Generative AI Boom in Cars
Mercedes, alongside other automakers such as Volkswagen, BMW, and Hyundai, are aiming to proactively embrace the burgeoning AI trend rapidly expanding across the tech industry. These companies pledge to deliver more advanced in-car voice assistants, leveraging the same LLMs that drive popular chatbots.
Leveraging generative AI could potentially enhance the naturalness of these queries and reduce the risk of false positives. However, it is worth noting that chatbots like ChatGPT, based on LLMs, have been associated with providing inaccurate information, leading OpenAI to face defamation and copyright infringement lawsuits.
Earlier, Mercedes had indicated their testing of OpenAI’s ChatGPT for their vehicles, but the recent press release does not reference the notable chatbot. The company previously expressed interest in assessing ChatGPT’s capability to assist drivers in obtaining answers to intricate questions while maintaining focus on the road. In contrast, Volkswagen recently announced their intention to incorporate ChatGPT into their cars starting later this year.
Final Say
The prevalence of in-car distractions has reached unprecedented levels. However, rather than attempting to reduce the influx of technology integrated into vehicles, automakers are increasingly resorting to advanced technological solutions to promote driver focus on the road. Mercedes are among the many that aim to balance having richer in-car interactive experience and functionalities while promoting driver safety with the application of advanced tech and AI.
Furthermore, Mercedes are expanding the videoconferencing and streaming capabilities in their vehicles, incorporating options such as Microsoft Teams and Sony Pictures Ridevu. Introducing a new feature named Surround Navigation, the company provide improved situational awareness through 3D graphics presented on the infotainment display, powered by Unity’s game engine.
Mercedes have offered interesting updates in the CES event this year, similar to many other companies that also play as key players. You might also want to discover Samsung’s better flexible displays and Asus’s ROG Phone 8 series.