Mercedes-Benz Integrates Google’s Conversational AI for Enhanced Virtual Assistant

Jimmy Jing

13 Jan 2025 — 1 min read

At the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024, Mercedes-Benz introduced its upgraded virtual assistant but kept details about the AI engine behind it under wraps. Currently, the MBUX Voice Assistant can execute about 20 commands starting with 'Hey Mercedes'. However, while it incorporates insights from OpenAI's ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing, it isn't billed as a fully conversational system. Plans are underway to extend this advanced system to more models that use the existing Voice Assistant, though specifics remain sparse.

Features of the MBUX Virtual Assistant

The newly updated MBUX Virtual Assistant will possess four distinct "personality traits": natural, predictive, personal, and empathetic. This feature allows it to probe users for additional information to better serve their needs, enhancing the overall user experience.

Google's Contribution to the Virtual Assistant

Google's recent AI development, specifically designed for automotive applications, significantly enriches the MBUX Virtual Assistant. It utilizes Google Maps data to locate points of interest, review restaurants, offer suggestions, respond to follow-up queries, and more. Users will benefit from almost real-time updates via Google Maps and can engage in complex, multi-turn dialogues with the assistant.

Technological Underpinnings

The AI agent is supported by Google's Gemini and operates on the Vertex AI development platform, aimed at helping businesses create advanced AI experiences. "This is just the beginning of how agentic capabilities can transform the automotive industry," stated Sundar Pichai, Google's CEO, highlighting the potential for AI-driven innovation in the automotive sector.

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