Mercedes-Benz is launching the first car powered by generative AI.

Mercedes-Benz is taking advantage of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to add a new virtual assistant to its MBUX interface powered by generative AI. It is often joked that modern cars are huge computers on wheels, and it seems that Mercedes-Benz doesn’t want to prove us wrong. The German luxury brand took the opportunity of the CES to unveil upgrades to its MBUX embedded interface.

There are three updates: the first is the software system that supports the MBUX platform, called MB.OS. Like many other automakers, Mercedes-Benz sees potential in the connected services of tomorrow and is preparing its vehicles to be able to more directly enter this new world. The first vehicle to benefit from MB.OS is a concept coupe called the CLA, which was unveiled for the first time in North America in Las Vegas. This is an electric vehicle concept capable of traveling 750 km per charge, with a very low energy consumption of 12 kw/h per 100 kilometers.

In addition to the base software, Mercedes-Benz is preparing a new, more immersive sound environment integrated into MBUX. Part of this environment has been designed in collaboration with American artist Will.i.am and is called MBUX SOUND DRIVE. The system will adapt the music based on the behavior of the vehicle, and more importantly, based on how the driver behaves behind the wheel of the vehicle. Mercedes is also expanding its partnership with Amazon to add Audible audiobooks to its MBUX system. These will be compatible with the Dolby Atmos sound standard, which creates a three-dimensional immersive sound. So one can listen to the narration of a book with, in addition, the characters positioned throughout the interior.

All of this is nothing compared to the most ambitious of the three new features presented at CES by Mercedes-Benz. Obviously, generative AI is on everyone’s lips at this conference, which brings together more than 3,500 exhibitors from the technological and electronic world. It was to be expected that the automotive sector would jump on the occasion. The MBUX virtual assistant is presented as the “most human interface” ever designed by the German group. The interface can express up to four different emotions, depending on the mood of the driver or passengers. A generative AI can produce information itself, rather than simply delivering information from the Internet or a database. This means that Mercedes cars powered by this virtual assistant will be able to somewhat naturally converse with their occupants.

Mercedes-Benz also jumped on the crypto wave by presenting an NFT display application, these collectible digital creations, and a few other applications that will also be added to the MBUX system.