Mercedes-Benz has long been the leader in integrating the latest technology available into their vehicles, and even though much of the automotive world is slowly catching up, Mercedes-Benz continues to push forward. This sort of progress can be seen in the semi-autonomous driving systems that are becoming commonplace in the sedans and SUVs of today.
It’s only natural that these things we spend our time in everyday, the vehicles that get us around, would eventually merge into the Internet of Things (IoT) that is growing around the individual consumer. Wearable devices, mobile devices, in-home assistants, and much more combine to make up the IoT, and it is becoming inescapable. With mbrace suites, Mercedes me, and the Companion App, Mercedes-Benz has been slowly pushing into this territory for years. Now, early in 2017, Mercedes-Benz will become one of the first automakers to integrate vehicles into the IoT, through making it easy for customers to combine Google Assistant on Google Home with their vehicles.
Google Home is a voice-activated personal assistant that allows the user to command a wide variety of applications and connected devices, as well as find information, all by simply speaking into the unit. This includes playing music and podcasts; getting answers from Google including the latest in news, sports, and weather; structuring your day through access to schedules, flight information, and more; and connecting with your wireless smart devices including lights and thermostat, so you can control your home by voice alone. Now, teaming up with Mercedes-Benz, your luxury sedan, coupe, or SUV will be linked into your daily life, seamlessly.
Mercedes-Benz expects that this combination will allow the customer to work more closely with their vehicle, without needing to be in the proximity often required. The interaction will allow the user to perform such tasks as:
- Sending their destination to the on-board navigation system
- Setting and activating climate control, seat-integrated heating and ventilation, and steering wheel heating
- Checking fuel and electrical charge levels
- Checking lock or unlock status of the vehicle and instructing it to lock or unlock as needed
These are just some of the tasks that Mercedes-Benz expects the user to be able to perform from the comfort of their living room or kitchen – wherever their Google Home speaker may be. According to Sajjad Khan, the president of digital vehicle and mobility at Daimler, Mercedes-Benz intends to “roll out even more applications as the year progress that will make daily life even more accessible and convenient.”
By combining Google Home with existing Mercedes-Benz applications found in the mbrace package, an owner could theoretically ask Google Home to plot a route from point A to point B on the on-board navigation system, then use the ability to check fuel levels to plan out gasoline stops, utilize the mbrace Travel and Assistance package to use location-based traffic to plan a departure time, start the car, adjust climate control, and cue up music via the mbrace Entertain package. All of this could be done by voice, without stepping foot into the vehicle.
Connectivity continues to be one of the key driving forces in the automotive market, and by being one of the first to harness the power of Google Home, Mercedes-Benz continues to demonstrate the desire to be the industry leader. It is this ethos that drives the company, and that makes our team here at Mercedes-Benz of Bonita Springs proud to be able to bring these modern, luxurious vehicles to the public. Stop by our showroom, located at 14610 Tamiami Trail North in Naples, and check out the latest models that Mercedes-Benz has to offer. Let us guide you through their latest technological and luxury offerings, and find one that is the right fit for you.
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