STUTTGART, Germany, and SUNNYVALE, Calif. (CHATNEWSTV) — Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud have announced a partnership to integrate AI-powered conversational capabilities into the automaker’s MBUX Virtual Assistant, enhancing navigation and search functions.
According to a press statement released on Monday by the company’s spokesperson, Isabel Meurer, the collaboration utilizes Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent, built on its Gemini large language models, to provide a natural language interface for drivers. Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation CLA series, set to launch later this year, will be the first to feature the updated system.
Sundar Pichai, CEO von Google und Alphabet, Ola Källenius, CEO der Mercedes-Benz Group AG und Thomas Kurian, CEO von Google Cloud
“At Mercedes-Benz, we seek to offer our customers an exceptional digital experience,” said Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG. “Our partnership with Google Cloud will further enhance in-car navigation, combining sophisticated location data with generative AI.”
The new features allow drivers to converse naturally with the MBUX Virtual Assistant to access detailed information about nearby points of interest. For example, users can ask, “Could you guide me to the nearest fine-dining restaurant?” or follow up with, “Does the restaurant have good reviews?” The assistant will provide accurate, real-time information from Google Maps Platform, which processes over 100 million daily updates and includes data on 250 million global locations.
Natural conversations with the MBUX Virtual Assistant to get information from Google Maps about nearby points of interest.
Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Mercedes-Benz is known for providing an amazing driving experience, and our partnership will bring cutting-edge AI breakthroughs to make those experiences even better. This is just the beginning of how agentic capabilities can transform the automotive industry.”
The enhanced system also supports complex, multi-turn dialogues and remembers previous conversations, allowing for a seamless in-car experience.
The Mercedes-Benz CLA will debut with the feature later this year, with plans to roll out the enhanced MBUX Virtual Assistant across additional models in the future.
