“User Experience” is a term most commonly uttered in relation to Operating systems and web applications, but almost never with the digital systems of cars. The new Mercedes S-class has set out to change that with what they call “ My MBUX (Mercedes Benz User experience)”
According to Mercedes, the vehicle interiors are more digital and intelligent than the previous generation, and we couldn’t agree more. With advanced hardware and software that can be personalised to each user, the primary goal of the MBUX is to enhance connectivity and to make sure you’re comfortable on the go, something many busy executives and businessmen would appreciate. With 5 screens, each passenger can enjoy a truly first class experience.
The intelligent voice assistant is capable of handling commands such as answering calls and displaying navigation maps even without the activation keyword. For more complicated commands, simply saying “Hey Mercedes” activates the assistant, even for the rear passengers.
Not only that, you can share calls, music, and media, from one screen to another or to multiple screen, a feature we see becoming standard in limos and high class sedans in the future.
But what really makes it stands out is the fact that the systems are truly integrated with the driving experience too. Exit warning functions to signal that an occupant is trying to exit the vehicle, blind spot assistance, child seat checks, and the most impressive one – attention assist to monitor the driver’s attention to the road, including warnings if there are signs of microsleep.
Although Augmented reality displays on the windshield aren’t novel to the automotive world, Mercedes Benz takes it up a notch with their brilliant new system that seamlessly enhances the driving experience. To quote them “Augmented reality head-up display (AR-HUD): Two different head-up displays (HUDs) are available on request, one of them an innovative variant with a particularly large image. The aperture angle of the display is 10° horizontal and 5° vertical, and the image appears virtually at a distance of 10 metres. This display area corresponds to a monitor with a 77-inch diagonal. The AR-HUD provides a great deal of augmented reality content for driving assistance systems and navigation information. For the driver this blends into the surroundings ahead of the vehicle and can therefore contribute to further reduced distraction.” This is something that has to be seen to be appreciated. This is a car fit for a president, to say the least.
Editor : Rohit, Driveaholic
