The simplest multimedia system in the world? It is on the most complicated and technological car on the planet, the new S-Class, Mercedes flagship: here, thanks to artificial intelligence, the classic Mbux system (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) unveiled for the first time in 2018 on the A-Class , it has become super easy to use. As the programmers say: “Monkey proof”. On the other hand, after having been mounted on more than 1.8 million Mercedes – and having no problems of cost containment since it had to be mounted on the S-Class – this multimedia system is now in its second generation and offers disarming ease of use. .
All thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) which, through software, is able to make the system learn the rider’s style and preferences. Thus the display and operating concept are fully adapted to the user and provide individual suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle-specific functions. Thanks to the so-called ‘zero layer’, the user does not have to scroll through submenus or issue voice commands. The most important applications are always available situationally and contextually at the highest level in sight. This way everything becomes easier. Not only that: the same voice commands are always so advanced that the pilot can “speak over” the voice of the system. As in a normal conversation (a little excited, like almost all of those today) where the interlocutors overlap with their words.
Of course, the S-class costs a fortune (from 130 thousand euros upwards), but we are reassured by the fact that tomorrow all the multimedia systems of the cars will be just as easy to use, without unnecessary buttons, menus and submenus. Technicians call this “zero-layer design” because the user doesn’t have to scroll through submenus or issue voice commands. The most important applications depending on the situation and context are visible at the top level in the direct field of view.
With adaptive software, the display and control concept fully adapts to the user and provides personalized suggestions for numerous infotainment, comfort and vehicle functions. This relieves the driver from a number of operational steps. How much it is? A lot: More than 20 functions – from comfort ones (here called Energizing Comfort) to birthday reminders and to-do list suggestions – are offered automatically, with the help of artificial intelligence, when they are relevant to the client.
The same goes for driving because the large head-up display in the windshield brings the latest display technology directly into the driver’s field of vision. The Augmented Reality representation is then completed by the innovative instrument panel with 3D screen. Of course, a minimum of addiction is needed, also because those who have an S-class in their hands must choose voice actions or the central OLED touchscreen as command mode, but in any case the intelligent Mbux Infotainment system learns to know the customer with time and to anticipate his requests.
And that’s no small thing because the S-Class is something of a Barnum of technology. And managing the millions of machine settings without artificial intelligence would be virtually impossible. They range from the hybrid system combined with all-wheel drive to the possibility of traveling for 100 km in full electric, from computerized headlights with over one million pixels to the optical group, from the complex of systems that make every journey on board an S-Class ultra comfortable thanks to Intelligent Drive. Not to mention the four-wheel steering or the system that detects the typical symptoms of tiredness and excessive inattention and draws the driver’s attention to a possible danger: if, through the fatigue detection camera, the system detects the typical characteristics of the hit of sleep, emits an alarm sound. How to “set” all this delirium? No need: the new Mbux (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) does it all by itself.
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