“Hey Mercedes, is there anybody in my home right now?” “I’ve had a look. The last movement was detected in the kitchen one hour ago.” This dialogue between the driver or passenger and their smart home could become commonplace in cars one day.
For those who have cars equipped with the latest MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) Voice Assistant, that day has already arrived. The MBUX now has a smart home function which can be used with devices offered by Philips Hue, Samsung SmartThings and TP-Link. The devices include certain lights, smart electrical plugs, thermostats, motion detectors and garage doors.
Smart home technology
This is smart home technology at work to make life easier as the MBUX Voice Assistant can now operate as an intelligent control centre for the home. It enables the driver or passenger to remotely monitor and control devices at home, for convenience and peace of mind while on the road.
Activating a smart home account is available as a complimentary service (in the US market) to provide additional functionality and convenience for Mercedes-Benz owners. It does not require any package upgrades nor incur any costs for the user.
Linked to MBUX profile
The smart home accounts for the device(s) can then be linked to the customer’s MBUX profile. Accounts can also be paired via the ‘Linked accounts’ menu option using the Mercedes me connect mobile app. The sophisticated authentication mechanism of Mercedes-Benz vehicles ensures that only authorized customers can obtain access to smart home appliances.
For added convenience, appliances by different providers can be connected at the same time and answer questions simultaneously. For example, asking, “Hey Mercedes, is everything ok at home?” causes all installed equipment to check their statuses. The answer could be: “All the windows are closed, and the light is still on in the bedroom.”
Smart home integration into MBUX Voice Assistant also allows users to check home motion detectors from their vehicle, enhancing security. Being able to turn off the lights from the car, after having had to rush out, provides additional advantages for the driver.
Upgrades for MBUX
Mercedes-Benz is rolling out an extensive package of new entertainment and navigation features over-the-air (OTA) to more than 700,000 vehicles worldwide. New features are being introduced on models equipped with second-generation MBUX systems between August and November 2023. Customers can access MBUX Entertainment Update (2.4) via the Update Wizard on their MBUX display or the Mercedes me app after receiving a notification that it is available in their region.
“Our in-house developed Mercedes‑Benz software enables great in-car entertainment, immersive Dolby Atmos audio, video streaming and enhanced navigation experiences. Equipped with our pioneering MBUX infotainment system, our vehicles meet the rapidly changing desires of our customers worldwide through regular over-the-air feature updates,” said Magnus Ostberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes‑Benz AG.
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