Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR Concept Now Capable of Reading Your Mind
Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept’s new BCI interface is like something straight out of a futuristic sci-fi movie.
The Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR concept was originally revealed at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, where it blew minds thanks to some amazing technology and futuristic styling. The concept quite literally looks like something out of a sci-fi movie, but that was by design – it was co-developed with Avatar director James Cameron, after all. Now, the Mercedes-Benz Vision AVTR is one step closer to the set of some futuristic movie set, as it is quite literally capable of reading minds.
Touting what Mercedes calls brain-computer interfaces (BCI), the Vision AVTR uses a device that attaches to the driver’s head to measure brain waves, which can then trigger a defined function, such as selecting a navigation destination, changing the radio station, or even selecting an ambient lighting color, much the same way one might use their voice or by touching physical controls to do so today. The idea, Mercedes says, is to allow the driver to focus on driving – not playing around with buttons or trying to figure out the right combination of words to complete a function.
While some automakers come up with crazy-sounding ideas like these, they’re often just that – ideas. However, that isn’t the case with Mercedes and BCI. In fact, the Vision AVTR concept is on display at Germany’s IAA Mobility show, where attendees can sit in a mockup of the vehicle’s driver’s seat A series of light dots are projected onto the digital dashboard while the “driver” wears a BCI device with electrodes on the back that records brain activity.
Following a one-minute calibration, the BCI device is ready to go. As the brain reacts to visual stimuli on the dash, the device measures its activity in real-time, analyzing the measured brain waves and recognizing which light points the user directs their focus and full attention to. The stronger the focus, the higher the neuronal activity. The device then triggers the targeted function in the vehicle.
All of this was inspired by the neuronal connection between the Avatar character Na’vi and the nature around him, according to Mercedes. “BCI technology can make it possible to relieve the user even more, in order to be able to focus on the driving experience,” said Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. “The Vision AVTR underlines the courage and pioneering spirit of our brand and is exactly the right concept to test and further develop BCI applications. This concept vehicle impressively depicts the future of mobility in which man, nature, and technology are in harmony with each other.”
Photos: Mercedes-Benz
Join the MB World forums now!
