CES 2018: Mercedes-Benz’s Latest MBUX Infotainment System To Debut In New A-Class

Mercedes-Benz has announced that its latest infotainment system called the Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) will be taking centre stage at the ongoing Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the name MBUX signals that the user experience (UX) is to the fore. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. Besides that, it can also be individualised to adapt and suit the user.

It thus creates an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. At the same time updates “over the air” are possible. It also heralds a new era at Mercedes me Connectivity.

Key features of the new infotainment system include the high-resolution Widescreen Cockpit with touchscreen operation, navigation display with augmented reality technology, plus intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition, which is activated with the keyword “Hey Mercedes”.

Set to be featured for the first time in the new 2018 A-Class, the MBUX also comes with a comprehensive touch operation concept – the combination of a touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console and Touch-Control Buttons in the steering wheel.

On the first level you find what is known as the Homescreen. This is where, alongside the freely selectable main applications (e.g. telephone, navigation and radio), the most important information (such as arrival time, song currently being played etc.) is displayed.

The next level – the Basescreen – with the display and controls for one main application respectively, such as Media and Navigation, is only one step away. The most important information and control options respectively are attractively presented at this level. Important functions such as destination or music search are grouped at the bottom edge of the screen.

For seldom-used information and settings there is the Submenu on the final level.

Operation is horizontal and makes optimum use of the widescreen format of the display. As on a stage a space is created which not only sets standards visually, but also supports navigation between the individual information levels.

The fully digital instrument cluster can also be configured virtually entirely according to personal preferences. As an alternative to the classic speed display in the left-hand tube, displays such as Analog Clock, From Start, From Reset, Range or Information on the current radio station / media title can be placed there. In the right-hand tube, in addition to the rev counter, assistance graphic, the current consumption, the ECO display or a navigation map can also be displayed.

“With the new MBUX generation, we are transporting our user interface design into the digital world”, says Gorden Wagener, Chief Design Officer Daimler AG. “We are thus transferring intelligent technology into an emotional overall experience.”