Mercedes-Benz Previews New Operating System

Mercedes-Benz releases the first details of its proprietary MB.OS operating system launching on electric and internal-combustion-engine models based on the German automaker’s upcoming Mercedes Modular Architecture platform.

The new chip-to-cloud architecture will first appear on the third-generation ’24 CLA, providing what Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Kallenius describes as “exceptional software capabilities,” including access to embedded Google-based maps and services.

“We made the decision to be the architects of our own operating system. By combining this in-house expertise with a selection of partners we will create an outstanding customer experience, from driving assistance, navigation and entertainment to integrated charging. MB.OS will feature full upgradeability and constant improvements,” Kallenius says at the unveiling of the system at Mercedes-Benz’s Silicon Valley-based R&D center in Sunnyvale, CA.

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While Mercedes-Benz has conceived, designed and will produce the architecture, its ability to integrate applications from third parties will allow customers to choose their own services, content and functions.

The partnership with Google will see Mercedes-Benz become the first automaker to develop its own branded navigation based on in-car data and navigation capabilities from the Google Maps Platform, says Kallenius.

“This will give Mercedes-Benz access to Google’s real-time and predictive traffic information, automatic rerouting and more,” he says.

Additionally, Mercedes-Benz says the MB.OS will provide access to Place Details furnished by Google. Included are details such as business hours, photos, ratings and reviews of over 200 million businesses and places worldwide.

As well as partnering with Google, Mercedes-Benz confirms it is pursuing further collaborations with leading software and hardware companies in a move it says will ensure efficient development and rapid scaling of MB.OS.

Key development aims of the operating system include improved smartphone mirroring and region-specific content, including music, video, gaming and office applications.

Offering full integration with electric-drive systems, MB.OS is claimed to provide more accurate range and energy-usage predictions.

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Mercedes-Benz also says MB.OS will play a crucial role in the planned rollout of new Level 2 autonomous-driving functions tailored to urban driving, as well as a Level 3 autonomous-driving system capable of operating at speeds to 130 km/h (81 mph) – both featuring machine-learning capabilities.

Among the partners for the autonomous-driving functions is NVIDIA, which Mercedes-Benz says provides its software, data and artificial intelligence expertise as well as its Orin system-on-chip hardware. It collaborates with Luminar for light detection and lidar sensors.

A partnership with YouTube will allow drivers to view video content on the infotainment interface while using the Level 3 Drive Pilot autonomous-driving system in countries where it is permitted.

Further collaborations have been forged with Antstream for in-car gaming as well as Webex and Zoom for in-car videoconferencing, says Mercedes-Benz.

The MB.OS operating system will be able to share data across a network with 5G over-the-air functionality, providing scope for software upgrades and offers to customers of features from selected partners.

Mercedes-Benz says it expects MB.OS to provide substantial annual revenue streams “in the high single-digit billion-euro figure” by the end of the decade.