Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud have expanded their strategic alliance, bringing groundbreaking conversational features to the MBUX Virtual Assistant. Powered by Google Cloud’s innovative Automotive AI Agent, this collaboration leverages advanced generative AI capabilities built on Gemini and Vertex AI to transform the driving experience. Designed specifically for the automotive sector, Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent integrates Google Maps Platform, offering Mercedes-Benz owners personalized and detailed conversational navigation responses, including insights about points of interest, routes, and more.
By tapping into the vast database of Google Maps Platform, which provides real-time updates for over 250 million global locations and processes more than 100 million daily map updates, the MBUX Virtual Assistant becomes an even more powerful tool for drivers. Users can interact naturally with the assistant to ask complex navigation queries, such as: “Could you guide me to the nearest fine-dining restaurant for a unique culinary experience?” In addition to these questions, the assistant can handle follow-up inquiries, like: “Does the restaurant have good reviews?” or “What is the chef’s signature dish?” It will then respond with real-time, accurate information, all integrated seamlessly with the vehicle’s interface. This cutting-edge experience is set to debut with the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLA series later this year.
With Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent, the MBUX Virtual Assistant can also manage sophisticated, multi-turn conversations, retaining context and allowing drivers to continue their inquiries across different stages of their journeys.
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“At Mercedes-Benz, we strive to offer an extraordinary digital experience for our customers. This collaboration with Google Cloud enhances in-car navigation by merging advanced location intelligence with generative AI. With the introduction of the new CLA, our next-generation navigation will empower drivers and passengers to access personalized, in-depth information through voice commands in just seconds,” said Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Mercedes-Benz has long been known for delivering an exceptional driving experience, and through our partnership, we will introduce cutting-edge AI breakthroughs to elevate that experience. The Automotive AI Agent will empower drivers to navigate and search with more natural and helpful voice interactions, marking the beginning of how AI can reshape the automotive landscape. I’m excited to see the transformation our collaboration will bring.”
Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent gives automakers access to state-of-the-art generative AI and large language models (LLMs), enabling them to develop custom voice assistants with unrivaled quality. Built with Google’s Gemini models, this solution offers multimodal reasoning capabilities, allowing natural language interactions while drawing from the vast resources of Google Maps Platform for accurate, contextually aware responses.
The AI-driven Point-of-Interest search and navigation enhancements will first be available in the Mercedes-Benz CLA, marking the debut of the company’s new operating system, MB.OS. This next-gen functionality will eventually be rolled out to additional models equipped with the MBUX Voice Assistant, further extending the partnership’s impact across Mercedes-Benz’s lineup.