Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud have announced an exciting expansion of their strategic partnership, aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the MBUX Virtual Assistant. This upgrade is powered by Google Cloud’s latest Automotive AI Agent, built using the Gemini framework on Vertex AI. This technology is specifically tailored for the automotive sector and leverages the Google Maps Platform to provide drivers with more detailed and personalized conversational responses regarding navigation, points of interest, and much more.
With the Google Maps Platform, Mercedes-Benz owners gain access to fresh and accurate information about 250 million locations worldwide, complemented by near real-time map updates—over 100 million are made each day. This enhanced search and navigation experience allows users to engage naturally with the MBUX Virtual Assistant, asking questions like, “Can you guide me to the nearest fine-dining restaurant for a unique culinary experience?” Users can also follow up with inquiries like, “Does the restaurant have good reviews?” or “What is the chef’s signature dish?” The MBUX Virtual Assistant responds with precise, up-to-date information while displaying navigation details through the car’s native interface. This innovative experience will be integrated into the MBUX Virtual Assistant with the launch of Mercedes-Benz’s new CLA series later this year.
Additionally, Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent will empower the MBUX Virtual Assistant to manage complex, multi-turn conversations, retaining memory of past interactions. This means drivers can seamlessly continue discussions and refer back to information throughout their journeys.
“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 personalised information within seconds.” – Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
“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.” – Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet.
Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent empowers automakers to harness the potential of generative AI and large language models (LLMs), enabling them to create and implement tailored, first-party voice assistant experiences with cutting-edge AI quality. This innovation is powered by Google’s Gemini models, which facilitate multimodal reasoning through natural language speech interactions and incorporate insights from the Google Maps Platform.
Coming soon to the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, the AI-enhanced Point-of-Interest search and navigation feature will be a standout addition. It marks the first vehicle equipped with the innovative Mercedes-Benz operating system, MB.OS. Additionally, a rollout for more models featuring the MBUX Voice Assistant is on the horizon.