Goodbye MBUX, hello MB.OS.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 42,474
Likes: 320
From: California
Goodbye MBUX, hello MB.OS.
New Mercedes infotainment coming soon
LOS ANGELES – Mercedes-Benz will roll out a new infotainment architecture called MB.OS that will replace the MBUX system in all of its vehicles, likely starting with the next-generation MMA compact car platform.
With its new MB.OS architecture, Mercedes-Benz is pairing with ultra-HD video developer Unity to bring gaming realism into the automotive world. It also is upgrading the “Hey Mercedes” personal assistant’s intelligence and interactivity into a 3D “Star Avatar” that will be more akin to a “digital butler,” said Magnus Östberg, Mercedes-Benz chief software officer.
Using the recently launched “Hyperscreen” digital display that spans from pillar to pillar (pictured above, but with the existing MBUX variation found in the Mercedes EQS), the MB.OS system will allow for 3D navigation that can zoom from satellite view down to 10 meters. It also will account for what time of day it is to ensure an accurate real-time display.
“It’s your environment right in front of you. It’s as much reality as possible in a navigation system,” Östberg said. Navus will be the technology partner for the navigation engine.
Östberg, speaking at a media briefing here, said Mercedes has been using machine learning to examine the accuracy, problems, and frustrations with the existing MBUX infotainment system and its “Hey Mercedes” voice controls.
The next-generation interactivity will be able to curate a playlist, and provide eco-driving coaching and hints while the vehicle is in motion, said Benjamin Kuhn, senior manager UX/UI design for Mercedes-Benz R&D North America. The flow of conversation with “Hey Mercedes” will be “more fluid” and be able to understand close-enough driver commands, rather than require specific wording to activate a function. The system will learn and improve its interactivity with each specific owner. And global iterations in software permutations and upgrades will be beamed via over-the-air updates.
On the audio front, Mercedes will equip its vehicles with a Dolby Atmos spatial sound system, which provides a full 3D experience. “It will be like sitting in the middle of your favorite band or orchestra,” Östberg said. The system will allow for a full selection of streaming-audio and -video content.
Why has Mercedes chosen to use an entry-luxury vehicle for a new software launch, rather than a flagship vehicle? It wouldn’t be the first time, as Mercedes launched MBUX in the A-Class platform, including the GLB pictured above. According to UX/UI senior manager Kuhn, those entry-luxury buyers tend to be younger, and thus better at acclimating to a new system – and finding bugs.
Mercedes announced last year that it is hiring an additional 1,000 software engineers to bring MB.OS to life, as well as develop cloud computing and other R&D functions. Why so many new employees?
“We want to own the user interface and APIs, the architecture and integration, because then we own the luxury experience,” Östberg said. “We are owning this responsibility and not outsourcing. If we relinquish data, we relinquish data security.”
This is in contrast to various automakers, including General Motors and Volvo, which are turning to Google and its Android Automotive infotainment suite.
Of course, Mercedes needs software partners to develop apps. But in owning the UI, Mercedes will also own customer’s data. Östberg, who came to Mercedes from automotive supplier Aptiv last August, said Mercedes will observe strict data privacy. If a car changes ownership, Mercedes erases the car’s memory of the previous owner. The data and settings go with the person’s Mercedes Me account, which means certain attributes can be pre-programmed into the next Mercedes a loyal owner acquires.
With its new MB.OS architecture, Mercedes-Benz is pairing with ultra-HD video developer Unity to bring gaming realism into the automotive world. It also is upgrading the “Hey Mercedes” personal assistant’s intelligence and interactivity into a 3D “Star Avatar” that will be more akin to a “digital butler,” said Magnus Östberg, Mercedes-Benz chief software officer.
Using the recently launched “Hyperscreen” digital display that spans from pillar to pillar (pictured above, but with the existing MBUX variation found in the Mercedes EQS), the MB.OS system will allow for 3D navigation that can zoom from satellite view down to 10 meters. It also will account for what time of day it is to ensure an accurate real-time display.
“It’s your environment right in front of you. It’s as much reality as possible in a navigation system,” Östberg said. Navus will be the technology partner for the navigation engine.
Östberg, speaking at a media briefing here, said Mercedes has been using machine learning to examine the accuracy, problems, and frustrations with the existing MBUX infotainment system and its “Hey Mercedes” voice controls.
The next-generation interactivity will be able to curate a playlist, and provide eco-driving coaching and hints while the vehicle is in motion, said Benjamin Kuhn, senior manager UX/UI design for Mercedes-Benz R&D North America. The flow of conversation with “Hey Mercedes” will be “more fluid” and be able to understand close-enough driver commands, rather than require specific wording to activate a function. The system will learn and improve its interactivity with each specific owner. And global iterations in software permutations and upgrades will be beamed via over-the-air updates.
On the audio front, Mercedes will equip its vehicles with a Dolby Atmos spatial sound system, which provides a full 3D experience. “It will be like sitting in the middle of your favorite band or orchestra,” Östberg said. The system will allow for a full selection of streaming-audio and -video content.
Why has Mercedes chosen to use an entry-luxury vehicle for a new software launch, rather than a flagship vehicle? It wouldn’t be the first time, as Mercedes launched MBUX in the A-Class platform, including the GLB pictured above. According to UX/UI senior manager Kuhn, those entry-luxury buyers tend to be younger, and thus better at acclimating to a new system – and finding bugs.
Mercedes announced last year that it is hiring an additional 1,000 software engineers to bring MB.OS to life, as well as develop cloud computing and other R&D functions. Why so many new employees?
“We want to own the user interface and APIs, the architecture and integration, because then we own the luxury experience,” Östberg said. “We are owning this responsibility and not outsourcing. If we relinquish data, we relinquish data security.”
This is in contrast to various automakers, including General Motors and Volvo, which are turning to Google and its Android Automotive infotainment suite.
Of course, Mercedes needs software partners to develop apps. But in owning the UI, Mercedes will also own customer’s data. Östberg, who came to Mercedes from automotive supplier Aptiv last August, said Mercedes will observe strict data privacy. If a car changes ownership, Mercedes erases the car’s memory of the previous owner. The data and settings go with the person’s Mercedes Me account, which means certain attributes can be pre-programmed into the next Mercedes a loyal owner acquires.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
They announced MB.OS was under development with this timeline long ago, but it's nice to get an update. Several other automakers are headed in the exact same direction (see: VW.OS, Toyota's Arene OS).
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,911
Likes: 4,269
From: Alberta
With its new MB.OS architecture, Mercedes-Benz is pairing with ultra-HD video developer Unity to bring gaming realism into the automotive world. It also is upgrading the “Hey Mercedes” personal assistant’s intelligence and interactivity into a 3D “Star Avatar” that will be more akin to a “digital butler,”
Whatever Mercedes does they need to stick with one OS and build off it so everyone going forward gets continued improvements.
they don't know they want it until it's here. 
not blaming you but i hate the simplistic term 'infotainment' as the controls and screens do so much today.
that would be nice, agreed.
Or just infotainment that is simple to use and works.
Whatever Mercedes does they need to stick with one OS and build off it so everyone going forward gets continued improvements.
Trending Topics
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 25,911
Likes: 4,269
From: Alberta
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: CA
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: CA
oh yeah many usefull features are buried in menus that needs multiple swip + tap just to get to it with no ability to add them to the favorates button which solves the problem, easy patch to fix this but they just wont do it.
old and out of date system.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,585
Likes: 24
From: Washington
It's slow, laggy and the fan is loud plus it still has a lot of bugs. one bug that is still nagging me is when you turn off the audio by scrolling it to off with either with steering wheel scroll or center console, next time you start the car audio turns back on. only way to turn off stereo is to phycally press the button on the console. this mbux has been out since 2019 with multiple ota updates and still they can't fix this simple bug in 2022.
oh yeah many usefull features are buried in menus that needs multiple swip + tap just to get to it with no ability to add them to the favorates button which solves the problem, easy patch to fix this but they just wont do it.
old and out of date system.
oh yeah many usefull features are buried in menus that needs multiple swip + tap just to get to it with no ability to add them to the favorates button which solves the problem, easy patch to fix this but they just wont do it.
old and out of date system.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 67,908
Likes: 3,839
From: Maryland
It's slow, laggy and the fan is loud plus it still has a lot of bugs. one bug that is still nagging me is when you turn off the audio by scrolling it to off with either with steering wheel scroll or center console, next time you start the car audio turns back on. only way to turn off stereo is to phycally press the button on the console. this mbux has been out since 2019 with multiple ota updates and still they can't fix this simple bug in 2022.
oh yeah many usefull features are buried in menus that needs multiple swip + tap just to get to it with no ability to add them to the favorates button which solves the problem, easy patch to fix this but they just wont do it.
old and out of date system.
oh yeah many usefull features are buried in menus that needs multiple swip + tap just to get to it with no ability to add them to the favorates button which solves the problem, easy patch to fix this but they just wont do it.
old and out of date system.
Menu system is totally intuitive for me being used to MB's menu layouts. NO system today is intuitive for anyone not used to their layouts.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: CA
See, this is exactly why I asked. I don't think you know what you're talking about. MB.OS isn't even out yet and there's definitely no Youtube videos of it. These new cars equipped with the Hyperscreen or conventional touchscreen (e.g. S-class) or are using an updated version of MBUX. Anyways, the zero layer setup on the Hyperscreen has gotten positive reviews exactly because you don't have to do endless swiping to get to a menu.
.
.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 0
From: CA
I have a 2021 E Class with MBUX, and I notice none of this. Its actually really snappy, my S560 doesnt have MBUX and its system is laggy for sure, but I experience no lag here. What you note about the audio is true, but thats true of MANY cars today. Just reduce the volume to 0 instead of mute and that it remembers. Its not a bug, its how it works.
Menu system is totally intuitive for me being used to MB's menu layouts. NO system today is intuitive for anyone not used to their layouts.
Menu system is totally intuitive for me being used to MB's menu layouts. NO system today is intuitive for anyone not used to their layouts.
what about favorates? is your e class able to add any items to it or only a limited preset items that can bee added like glc class?
oh now i thought about the parking camera (not the one that auto turns on that works perfectly) but the parking camera where you press a button on the center console to turn on, when i press that button it brings up a useless screen where you have to pick which camera you want to see and it would not remember my last setting so everytime i want to use it i have to go through the whole loop again.