Utilizing Google’s automotive AI technology
Mercedes-Benz and Google have signed a partnership in the field of automotive AI. From left: Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google and Alphabet, Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, and Thomas Kurian, CEO of Google Cloud.
On January 13, 2025, Mercedes-Benz and Google Cloud announced an expansion of their strategic partnership, introducing new conversational features to the MBUX virtual assistant, powered by Google Cloud’s new automotive AI system, the Automotive AI Agent.
Built using the latest AI technology, Google Cloud’s Automotive AI Agent is purpose-built for the automotive industry and will use information from the Google Maps platform to provide users with more detailed and personalized conversational responses about directions to their destination and points of interest.
Google Maps provides Mercedes-Benz owners with fresh, factual information for 250 million locations around the world, with maps updated in near real time, with more than 100 million updates every day.
With enhanced search and navigation, users can now have a natural conversation with the MBUX virtual assistant and receive relevant answers to a variety of questions. The new MBUX features will be available through the MBUX virtual assistant in the new CLA series, which goes on sale in the second half of 2025.
Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, commented on the strengthened collaboration with Google:
“At Mercedes-Benz, we aim to offer our customers the best possible digital experience. Our partnership with Google Cloud allows us to further enhance in-car navigation by combining advanced location information with generative AI. Starting with the new CLA, next-generation navigation will enable drivers and passengers to use voice commands and receive personalized information within seconds.”
