Through Mercedes-Benz MB OS, the company has revealed its future plans as it sets out to be the mastermind behind its own operating system. This cutting-edge software will debut in the mid-decade alongside the new MMA platform (Mercedes Modular Architecture).
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Mercedes-Benz MB OS developed in-house
The MB.OS system has been designed and developed in-house by Mercedes-Benz to maintain full control over the customer relationship, guarantee data privacy, and capitalize on the seamless integration of all car functions.
Employing a chip-to-cloud structure that has been purpose-built, MB.OS has complete access to all vehicle domains, from infotainment to automated driving, body, and comfort to driving and charging. This strategic maneuver enables the world’s most esteemed luxury automotive brand to provide its customers with an exceptional, unparalleled product experience that sets it apart from the rest of the pack.
“At Mercedes-Benz, we are dedicated to building the world’s most desirable cars. Accordingly, we made the decision to be the architects of our own operating system – a unique chip-to-cloud architecture that leverages its full access to our vehicles’ hardware- and software components.
By combining this in-house expertise with a selection of world-class partners, we will create an outstanding customer experience, from driving assistance, navigation and entertainment, all the way to integrated charging. MB.OS will feature full upgradeability and constant improvements.” said Ola Källenius, Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-Benz.enhanced customer value and innovation
Mercedes-Benz has developed MB.OS, as an operating system that is standardized across its entire vehicle portfolio, making it an operating system for the entire Mercedes-Benz business. The system is designed to connect the major aspects of the company’s value chain, including development, production, omnichannel commerce, and services.
MB.OS aims to enhance customer lifetime value long after the original car purchase and its effects range from decoupling development cycles to improving the driving experience.
Partnering for innovation and efficiency
Mercedes-Benz defines and controls the architecture of MB.OS with its own hardware and software base layer. Still, the integration of leading technology players, such as NVIDIA and Luminar, allows customers access to best-in-class services, content, and functions.
NVIDIA provides its software, data, and AI expertise, including its Orin system-on-chip, to enhance benchmark SAE Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving systems. Mercedes-Benz vehicles will also be equipped with next-generation sensors, including Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors from Luminar.
Mercedes-Benz partners with Google for a new in-car navigation experience
Mercedes-Benz announced a new long-term strategic collaboration with Google to develop and implement a next-generation in-car navigation experience. It will be the first automaker to build its own branded navigation experience based on new in-car data and navigation capabilities from the Google Maps Platform – embedded into MB.OS.
Drivers will benefit from Google’s leading geospatial offering, including real-time and predictive traffic information, automatic rerouting, and more. Additionally, drivers will be able to use the YouTube app on the infotainment system when parked and while using the DRIVE PILOT Level 3 conditionally automated driving system.
In addition, Mercedes-Benz will give customers access to Place Details provided by Google, helping them find detailed information about businesses and places worldwide, including business hours, photos, ratings, and reviews.
MB.OS and innovation in car features
MB.OS offers precise and reliable range management for electric vehicles, which is only possible because MB.OS has access to all vehicle data, such as state of charge and energy consumption. Mercedes-Benz will expand its infotainment features with new partnerships for leading video, gaming, and productivity applications.
MB.OS will open up a new dimension of in-car gaming through Antstream for arcade games. In-car video conferencing solutions will be expanded by adding popular services Webex and Zoom, and leading dedicated content from Tencent will serve specific customer preferences in China.
The future of Mercedes-Benz driving
Mercedes-Benz is focusing on Level 3 conditionally automated driving with the ultimate goal of driving at speeds of up to 130 km/h in its final iteration. The company has partnered with NVIDIA to build fully programmable and updateable driving automation systems.
The “driving brain” of the vehicle is the NVIDIA DRIVE Orin system-on-chip, capable of conducting 254 trillion operations per second to process data from a suite of sensors surrounding the vehicle. The system’s “eyes”, or perception systems, alongside radar sensors and cameras, are LiDAR sensors from Mercedes-Benz partner Luminar.
Luminar’s next-generation IRIS sensor can recognize even small objects with low reflectivity in the infrared spectrum. Additional redundancy in sensing modalities will ensure that the system meets the highest Mercedes-Benz safety standards.
The technological foundation of MB.OS enhances the opportunities for software-enabled upgrades, allowing for faster innovation cycles, and increasing the flexibility and speed of updates. Within MB.OS, everything will be fully connectable through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud.
This provides the basis for connected services for the entire vehicle fleet and allows Mercedes-Benz to protect and leverage customer data, as the company retains full control over all critical infrastructure.
Upgrades available in a wide range
The technical base of MB.OS improves the possibilities for software-enabled updates even further. By separating hardware from software, the Mercedes-Benz Operating System enables shorter innovation cycles and quicker software upgrades.
Everything in MB.OS will be completely connectable through the Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Cloud. As a result, Mercedes-Benz can use linked services throughout its whole fleet of vehicles and secure client data since it still has complete control over all crucial infrastructure.
The Mercedes me ID, which integrates all customer-related information, including purchase and financing, servicing appointments, and charging and payment data, will enable Mercedes-Benz to provide new services that are more convenient and tailored. Customers may interact with Mercedes-Benz via it, customize their settings and profiles, and get offers tailored to their particular requirements.
Three handy packages will be created from the customized services and upgrades to streamline the client experience: connect, charge, and drive with MB. Many vehicle features, including navigation, remote, guard 360°, entertainment, and communication, will be bundled together in the MB.CONNECT package and updated over the air.
Customers of electric vehicles will have access to flexible and alluring pricing via MB.CHARGE, depending on how much driving they do. Due to set charging tariffs and preferential access to the Mercedes-Benz high-power charging network, MB.CHARGE offers the highest level of transparency.
Customers will have the opportunity to increase the capabilities of sophisticated driver assistance systems in their vehicles with MB.DRIVE. All brand-new cars will be equipped with the required sensor technologies to allow Level 2 assisted driving. With a fixed-term contract, some models may be selected with Level 3 conditionally autonomous driving or improved assisted driving.
Using the Mercedes me Store, key capabilities may be enhanced throughout the course of the vehicle lifespan starting in 2025. Customers may visit the Mercedes me Store through an app, the web, or from within the vehicle to learn more about new features and make purchases.
