Mercedes-Benz And Google Entered Into A Long-Term Partnership

Mercedes-Benz and Google have agreed on a long-term partnership that will give the German manufacturer control over its intellectual property (IP) and market while providing Google's navigation, maps, and YouTube to drivers. It's a unique agreement that aims to provide users with the Google services they want without giving up control of the complete operating system in the automobile. Furthermore, Ola Källenius, the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, stated during a news conference on Wednesday at an event at the company's research and development facility in Sunnyvale, California, "This is a licensing agreement that is a ‘win-win’ for both parties. We’re the full architects of the stack.” And while accurate, calling it a licensing agreement may minimize the connection. Additionally, the collaboration will enable Google Maps, Cloud, and YouTube functionality in the next Mercedes-Benz vehicles running the MB.OS, the automaker's newest operating system. Mercedes will also be able to use Google's geospatial offerings, which include comprehensive location data, real-time and forecasted traffic data, and intelligent rerouting. And Mercedes-Benz will use data from Google Maps to allow assisted driving features like automatic speed modifications before crossroads, roundabouts, or curves. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Image credit: DigiTimes[/caption] Nevertheless, as mentioned by Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, the cooperation will go beyond this. Pichai stated: "In addition to enabling Mercedes-Benz to design a customized navigation interface, we’ll provide our AI and data capabilities to accelerate their sustainability efforts, advance autonomous driving, and create an enhanced customer experience."

More details

For many years, Mercedes-Benz has been developing its own operating system, dubbed MB.OS. The following generation of Mercedes automobiles internally referred to as MMA will debut that operating system when they enter production at the end of 2024. Moreover, Mercedes claimed to have independently developed the Linux-based operating system and built it in such a way as to support third-party applications and services, such as those offered by Google. For instance, Mercedes stated that it intends to develop its own branded navigation system combining fresh geographic data for in-car use and navigational capabilities from the Google Maps Platform. On another note, customers won't have to wait years to enjoy the partnership's initial benefits. Mercedes announced on Wednesday that as of today, the company will grant consumers access to certain early new services, including Google Place Details. And over-the-air software updates will be used to deliver the new capability. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="1280"] Image credit: Jagran TV[/caption]

What's more

The next Mercedes E Class will also include the MB.OS forerunner later this year. In addition, customers will be able to use apps like Tiktok and Zoom through that system from the infotainment system in their vehicle. However, the stakes are great for the outcome. Hence, Mercedes hopes that users of its MB.OS will stop choosing middleware services like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto which mirror their smartphones to the in-car entertainment system. "I mean, that’s the ultimate goal of MB.OS ultimately, it will create a customer experience so there’s no need to plug in your phone," according to CTO Markus Schäfer, who spoke at the event on Wednesday.