Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI) has equipped the third-gen of the new GLS launched recently with MBUX multimedia infotainment system. Soon, all the cars will be offered it with the MBUX system. The infotainment system will allow the drivers to access details of or navigate them to the nearest COVID-19 testing centre when needed. The information that the car will use to help you navigate to the centres is likely to be provided by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
As the number of cases continues to increase every day across the globe, the MBRDI engineers came up with this idea of integrating the feature in the navigation system. The feature is developed in association with the leading service provider in navigation technology –MapmyIndia and is now a part of the a 12.3-inch infotainment system in the GLS that handles requests using voice commands and gestures.
Mercedes-Benz India claims that the users will benefit from MapmyIndia’s COVID-19 India guide, as they will now have real-time and accurate information about high-risk zones or containment zones and they would be able to avoid them while driving. The information is sourced from the latest government notifications and guidelines issued from time to time, and from other credible sources.
On request, the MBUX infotainment system will also display the centre name, address and phone number. This mapping and location feature will be automatically activated and is an unpaid service.
As a next step, the team is also working to include COVID-19 treatment centres and many other unique features as well. Also, an upgraded Mercedes Me connect app is expected to be released next month for an enhanced user experience. This functionality is expected to roll out to other Mercedes-Benz models as well in the near future.
Speaking about this innovation, Manu Saale, Managing Director & CEO, MBRDI said, “This is a proud moment where the team has developed this much-needed innovation to add another layer of safety for our end-customers in India. Our infotainment team, who have a key role to play on the entire MBUX including the Interior Assist & Rear Seat entertainment, earlier this year was instrumental in launching another timely innovation for Korean market where the infotainment system helps in navigating to stores with N95 masks/ respirators, also.” He added, “Our technology platform for MBUX both onboard (Car) & offboard (Cloud Backbone) is built in such a way to accelerate new services and features to our customer.”
Also, on this collaboration, Rohan Verma, CEO & Executive Director, MapmyIndia, said, “Mercedes-Benz is renowned worldwide for its highest level of safety and customer comfort. Ever since the pandemic broke out, our teams have been developing tools and solutions leveraging its best-in-class indigenously developed location technology to benefit Indians. I am happy that a leading company like Mercedes-Benz India has partnered with us in furthering this effort of ours.”