Mercedes-Benz taps Google to add ‘conversational capabilities’ on MBUX Virtual Assistant

Update to arrive later this year on new CLA

Mercedes-Benz taps Google to add ‘conversational capabilities’ on MBUX Virtual Assistant

MANILA: Mercedes-Benz has partnered with Google to make its MBUX Virtual Assistant more conversational.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • What AI agent will boost the capabilities of the MBUX Virtual Assistant?

    Per Mercedes-Benz, the Gemini on Vertex AI agent will help boost the capabilities of the MBUX Virtual Assistant.
  • What Google platform can the MBUX Virtual Assistant reference information thanks to this update?

    Due to the update, the MBUX Virtual Assistant can now reference information from the Google Maps Platform.
  • Specifically, the brand’s automotive voice assistant will get a boost thanks to Gemini on Vertex AI (artificial intelligence) — Google Cloud’s automotive AI agent — to reference information from the Google Maps Platform allowing it to give users of compatible vehicles more detailed and personalized conversational responses about navigation, points of interest and more.

    “At Mercedes-Benz, we seek to offer our customers an exceptional digital experience. Our partnership with Google Cloud will further enhance in-car navigation, combining sophisticated location data with generative AI. Launching with the new CLA, our next-gen navigation will allow drivers and passengers to use voice commands to obtain comprehensive and personalized information within seconds,” Mercedes-Benz Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ola Källenius said.

    While Mercedes-Benz owners will still be talking to a robot, the virtual assistant can now answer requests like “Could you guide me to the nearest fine-dining restaurant for a unique culinary experience?” and reply to follow-up questions such as “Does the restaurant have good reviews?” or “What is the chef’s signature dish?” giving way to a more conversational exchange.

    MB Google AI Photo from Mercedes-Benz

    Further, Google Cloud’s automotive AI agent will also enable the MBUX Virtual Assistant to handle complex, multi-turn dialogue. It can also retain memory of conversations, which means users can continue conversations and reference information throughout their drives.

    “Mercedes-Benz is known for providing an amazing driving experience, and our partnership will bring cutting-edge AI breakthroughs to make those experiences even better. Our new Automotive AI Agent will help drivers navigate and search with in-vehicle assistants, so those interactions are more natural and helpful. This is just the beginning of how agentic capabilities can transform the automotive industry and I’m excited to see our partnership drive progress forward,” Google and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai explained.

    The updated MBUX Virtual Assistant will make its debut in the new Mercedes‑Benz CLA later this year. Per the German carmaker, it will be the first vehicle designed with the new Mercedes-Benz operating system, MB.OS.

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    Paulo Papa

    Paulo Papa

    Fueled by his passion for cars and a good dose of caffeine, Paulo loves taking his readers for an exciting spin with his writing. A self proclaimed nerd, epigrammatic writer, and a doting father. 

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