Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud have expanded their partnership to enhance the MBUX Virtual Assistant with conversational capabilities powered by Google Cloud’s new Automotive AI Agent, built on the Gemini AI model via Vertex AI.
This integration brings natural-language navigation and search capabilities, allowing users to engage in multi-turn conversations and receive personalized, real-time information.
Leveraging data from the Google Maps Platform, the updated MBUX system will provide access to information about 250 million places worldwide, with maps refreshed by over 100 million daily updates.
READ MORE: Rolls-Royce Invests £300M to Expand Goodwood Facility as Bespoke Achieves Record Results
Drivers can ask detailed questions like, “Where’s the nearest fine-dining restaurant?” or “What’s the chef’s signature dish?” and receive precise answers, including navigation details displayed on the vehicle’s interface. The AI also remembers prior interactions, enabling seamless, continuous dialogue throughout drives.
The feature debuts with the new Mercedes-Benz CLA later this year, the first vehicle featuring the MB.OS operating system. A broader rollout to other models equipped with the MBUX Virtual Assistant is planned.
Key Quotes:
- Ola Källenius, CEO, Mercedes-Benz Group AG: “Our partnership with Google Cloud enhances in-car navigation by combining sophisticated location data with generative AI for a seamless digital experience.”
- Sundar Pichai, CEO, Google and Alphabet: “This partnership brings cutting-edge AI breakthroughs to elevate the driving experience through more natural, helpful in-car assistant interactions.”
The collaboration highlights the transformative potential of generative AI and large language models in the automotive sector, with Mercedes-Benz at the forefront of integrating state-of-the-art technology into premium vehicles.
READ MORE: BMW Group Posts Strong BEV Growth in 2024 Amid Market Challenges
Subscribe today for the freshest car news delivered to your inbox
