Mercedes, with Google Clud’s AI more ‘real’ answers from a virtual assistant

Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud have announced the enhancement of their strategic partnership to introduce new dialogue capabilities for the virtual assistant MBUX, based on Google’s artificial intelligence solutions developed for the automotive sector. Built using Gemini on Vertex AI, Google Cloud’s AI operator is specifically optimized for the automotive industry and can reference information from the Google Maps Platform to give users more detailed, personalized answers about navigation, points of interest and more.

With an improved search and navigation experience, users can converse naturally with the Mbux virtual assistant and get answers to questions like: “Could you guide me to the nearest fine dining restaurant for a unique dining experience?” Users can also ask follow-up questions, such as: “Does the restaurant have good reviews?” or “What is the chef’s signature dish?” and the Mbux virtual assistant can respond with accurate, up-to-date information and display navigation details via the vehicle’s native interface. The new experience will be available in the Mbux virtual assistant, with the new Mercedes-Benz CLA series during 2025.

The announcement coincides with the celebrations for the 30 years of activity of Mbrdna, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, the research and development hub of the German group based in Silicon Valley. The history of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America is one of industry firsts: the first automaker to provide full music navigation for iPod, the first German premium automotive manufacturer to bring the Apple-based “CarPlay” infotainment system on iPhone in cars, the first automaker in the United States to launch Google’s “Send-to-Car” functionality in a vehicle, and most recently, the first to integrate ChatGPT into select Mercedes-Benz models via Mbux.

“Innovation – underlined the number one of the group Ola Källenius – is at the center of our DNA. For 30 years Mbrdna has played a fundamental role in combining the most innovative technologies with Mercedes-Benz engineering excellence. Among other things, It’s thanks to their ongoing commitment that we’re ready for 2025 and the years to come. And the CLA and MB.OS are just around the corner to prove it.”

Today, MBRDNA plays a key role in consolidating Mercedes-Benz’s technological leadership, particularly in the areas of autonomous driving, AI experience, e-drive and advanced exterior design. MBRDNA’s innovative facility spans six strategic locations across North America – from Ann Arbor and Farmington Hills, Michigan, to Seattle, Washington, and across California to Sunnyvale, Long Beach and Carlsbad – where they are at work more than 600 ‘visionaries’. Over its 30 years of operation, MBRDNA has acquired a broad portfolio of cutting-edge technologies culminating in nearly 100 U.S. patents awarded to Mercedes-Benz, including those now held by Daimler Trucks North America.