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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. 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.
MBUX wasn't a new architecture. It was mainly a rebranding of COMAND with a new touch oriented UX/UI and AI based voice recognition. Internally, MBUX is NTG 6.x for v1 and NTG 7.x for v2, with the COMAND name last used for NTG 5.5. I wonder how this relates to the partnership with Nvidia that MB entered a couple of years ago. There's a need for an actual car OS like Tesla has developed for their cars. German and many other cars are a hodgepodge of ECUs made by different suppliers, each using their own architecture and technology stack making it impossible to update the software via OTA updates beyond the Infotainment system. Tesla on the other hand can pretty much update the software for any component in the car. The partnership with Nvidia was supposed to yield an OS controlling all aspects of the car and be fully OTA updatable. Maybe this is just the first step to tackle the Infotainment system.
Last edited by superswiss; 03-22-2022 at 12:00 AM.
This is great news and a step in the right direction. MB has severely fallen behind new generation manufacturers such as Tesla, Rivian, Lucid, and even Ford in regards to vehicle software. A bit late but nevertheless.
I do wonder if MB will leave us MBUX users behind or upgrade us to MB.OS.
The former. MB OS will need new faster hardware to support the gaming realism they are talking about, and there will be a new electrical architecture to support it. Just like NTG 5.5 vehicles don't have an upgrade path to MBUX.
The former. MB OS will need new faster hardware to support the gaming realism they are talking about, and there will be a new electrical architecture to support it. Just like NTG 5.5 vehicles don't have an upgrade path to MBUX.
Wondering if this will be built on the new SoC that they have been working on with NVIDIA? I read a few months ago that Mercedes was also going to transition to start using some newer chips in the future. I don’t know much about the subject but here’s an interesting article for tech dummies like me…. https://cleantechnica.com/2021/09/26...chip-shortage/
It would be nice if Mercedes could get the bugs out of the existing MBUX system (after 3+ years) and still build the new system.
Wondering if this will be built on the new SoC that they have been working on with NVIDIA? I read a few months ago that Mercedes was also going to transition to start using some newer chips in the future. I don’t know much about the subject but here’s an interesting article for tech dummies like me…. https://cleantechnica.com/2021/09/26...chip-shortage/
It would be nice if Mercedes could get the bugs out of the existing MBUX system (after 3+ years) and still build the new system.
Yes, their old decentralized vehicle architecture based on lots of small ECUs from different vendors all communicating with each other over the CAN bus was industry leading at the time, but is now biting them in the behind. They've been sitting on this old architecture for too long. There is an argument to made, though for having multiple ECUs and that is if one fails the rest of the car still works. If the main computer in a Tesla fails everything goes down. Tesla does have a redundant system for the driving functions so you can continue to drive, but you have no idea how fast you are even going, because speedometer and everything is down. Happened to my coworker right after he picked up his Model 3. The main computer had a hardware fault and would crash constantly. At least the Germans should have modernized their circuit boards a long time ago using more modern SoCs and then they wouldn't be in this situation now.
"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."
Sounds kind of like Clippy from Microsoft Office 97...I hated Clippy...
The former. MB OS will need new faster hardware to support the gaming realism they are talking about, and there will be a new electrical architecture to support it. Just like NTG 5.5 vehicles don't have an upgrade path to MBUX.
That sucks. No full screen Apple CarPlay for us I guess.
A bit on the sidelines here but was surprised to see that the new MB electric vehicles are still coming with a bulky remote and no option to use your phone or a card as keys.
A bit on the sidelines here but was surprised to see that the new MB electric vehicles are still coming with a bulky remote and no option to use your phone or a card as keys.
I hope they never make toting, finding, and operating a (much more bulky) phone mandatory (just to do what a key does all by itself - unlock the door).
A bit on the sidelines here but was surprised to see that the new MB electric vehicles are still coming with a bulky remote and no option to use your phone or a card as keys.
MB is trailing in that area and other convenience use areas unfortunately. Wireless CarPlay comes to mind; it took until the W223 S-Class and a full 5 years after BMW offered it. Proximity unlocking is another.
Using the phone as a full key replacement without removing it from your pocket is part of digital key v3 standard. BMW offers it already it in some/all EV's like the IX with iDrive 8. Complete no-brainer when owning an iPhone with UWB.
Mercedes used to be at the forefront with that in 2002 when they offered a smart-key credit card that could be added to the wallet and no actual key was required at all. Had that with our 2003 SL55 but MB dropped that feature a year or two later...
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Originally Posted by cupecoy
A bit on the sidelines here but was surprised to see that the new MB electric vehicles are still coming with a bulky remote and no option to use your phone or a card as keys.
Mercedes used to be at the forefront with that in 2002 when they offered a smart-key credit card that could be added to the wallet and no actual key was required at all. Had that with our 2003 SL55 but MB dropped that feature a year or two later...
Last edited by W205C43PFL; 04-09-2022 at 02:48 PM.
Reason: Didn't notice Wolfman also mentioned it
I hope they never make toting, finding, and operating a (much more bulky) phone mandatory (just to do what a key does all by itself - unlock the door).
You... leave your phone at home when you go driving?
MB is trailing in that area and other convenience use areas unfortunately. Wireless CarPlay comes to mind; it took until the W223 S-Class and a full 5 years after BMW offered it. Proximity unlocking is another.
Using the phone as a full key replacement without removing it from your pocket is part of digital key v3 standard. BMW offers it already it in some/all EV's like the IX with iDrive 8. Complete no-brainer when owning an iPhone with UWB.
Mercedes used to be at the forefront with that in 2002 when they offered a smart-key credit card that could be added to the wallet and no actual key was required at all. Had that with our 2003 SL55 but MB dropped that feature a year or two later...
Yup, I love taking the Model Y for a drive sometimes as all I need is my Driver ID and phone (I don't have any physical keys nor do I have a wallet actually for at least 5 years now), really dislike having to lug the MB remote around.
Genesis actually has it to an extent solved even better, they use fingerprint thereby recognizing the driver profile... biometrics will be surely the future for this type of stuff.
PFL205.064 with M276.823 (Oil pump solenoid defeated)
Originally Posted by cupecoy
Genesis actually has it to an extent solved even better, they use fingerprint thereby recognizing the driver profile... biometrics will be surely the future for this type of stuff.
To be fair, both the W206 and W223 also have a fingerprint sensor, I would be surprised if next gen GLE doesn't get it.
Yup, I love taking the Model Y for a drive sometimes as all I need is my Driver ID and phone (I don't have any physical keys nor do I have a wallet actually for at least 5 years now), really dislike having to lug the MB remote around.
Genesis actually has it to an extent solved even better, they use fingerprint thereby recognizing the driver profile... biometrics will be surely the future for this type of stuff.
Why would you need a phone to operate a tesla? What do you do for Valet parking?
You... leave your phone at home when you go driving?
If I want to, sure. Can't see a need to carry extra equipment just to drive a car.
Too bad your Y hasn't figured this out yet. Oh that's right - it's not a car company.
Why would you need a phone to operate a tesla? What do you do for Valet parking?
Why would you need a keyfob to operate a car? Press the Valet button on the screen?
Originally Posted by mikapen
If I want to, sure. Can't see a need to carry extra equipment just to drive a car.
Too bad your Y hasn't figured this out yet. Oh that's right - it's not a car company.
This is an interesting approach. I never met a person who drives away from their home and leaves their phone behind on purpose.
P.S. It would behoove you to get a better understanding of how new age vehicles work (Tesla, Rivian, BMW, Lucid, Ford and so on) as by your comments I can deduce that you are not familiar with the concepts.
Why would you need a keyfob to operate a car? Press the Valet button on the screen?
This is an interesting approach. I never met a person who drives away from their home and leaves their phone behind on purpose.
P.S. It would behoove you to get a better understanding of how new age vehicles work (Tesla, Rivian, BMW, Lucid, Ford and so on) as by your comments I can deduce that you are not familiar with the concepts.
You just met one. I only understand Steamers, but I'm not a slave to 5G.
To your point, if you want to operate a car that requires a phone, go for it.
I use my phone for - wait for it - phoning and other phone things. I don't consider entering a car to be a phone thing. I'm so out of it.
New Age cars? Do you chant to them? I'll never be your equal. Darn the bad luck.
PS and FYI, the Mercedes key has a little key inside for locking interior compartments, known as a Valet Key. I'll bet your new Age Phone doesn't have such a practical thing.
The days when phones were only used to call somebody are effectively over. Most people don't use their smartphones as a phone anymore. They have become digital wallets and a device to access digital services on the go. Smartphones are rapidly replacing physical wallets and keys. You can keep all your credit cards, transit cards, proof of insurance, COVID vaccine certification, boarding passes and now digital keys and soon a digital drivers license in your phone's digital wallet, so the phone is the only thing you actually have to take with you. It's also much more secure, because if you lose it or it gets stolen you can remote wipe it and don't have to call a locksmith to change the locks in your house and have all your credit cards and your driver license reissued. You just buy a new phone and restore all the backed up data on it and remove the old phone from your account, therefore deauthorizing it. No credit card skimming at gas stations when using your phone to pump gas for example and so on.
Those of us who have smart homes don't need to carry keys anymore. When I walk/drive up to my house my phone knows it and asks if I want to unlock the door. Then I confirm it and the door unlocks, and/or the garage door opens and my alarm system disarms. Similarly when I leave I tap one button and all my doors lock automatically, the garage door closes and the alarm system arms itself. During the winter my thermostat knows based on my phone's location if I'm at home or not and doesn't unnecessarily heat the house if nobody is at home. There are lots of use cases.
Currently the car fob is the only key I still carry. I don't mind it, because I only take it with me if I'm going somewhere by car and then it mostly stays in my pocket thanks to keyless go, but it's one more thing that I have to take with me and that can potentially get lost, and if I lose the key I can't track it as opposed to my phone which I can track. It's not that the phone will be the sole way by which one can unlock and start the car. Even Tesla ended up offering an optional key fob, because customers demanded it, in addition to the NFC card you can carry in your wallet as a backup when your phone dies or you left it at home.
Last edited by superswiss; 04-14-2022 at 12:57 AM.
The days when phones were only used to call somebody are effectively over. Most people don't use their smartphones as a phone anymore. They have become digital wallets and a device to access digital services on the go........
I'm just not that dependent on my phone.
I can use it for all of those things except a smart home, and I do, but only as a backup.
Similarly, I can do all those things without a phone.
I actually had to use quarters today at a parking meter, because it wasn't a smart meter.
I'm glad I wasn't relying on my phone for a parking meter.
I'm just not that dependent on my phone.
I can use it for all of those things except a smart home, and I do, but only as a backup.
Similarly, I can do all those things without a phone.
I actually had to use quarters today at a parking meter, because it wasn't a smart meter.
I'm glad I wasn't relying on my phone for a parking meter.
It's not dependence, it's convenience. I can still do all those things w/o a phone, too, if I choose so, but it's less convenient. You still have parking meters that take coins where you live? Those have disappeared here a long time ago. They all take credit cards now or you can pay through apps like Parkmobile, which is what I do mostly. Credit card is the backup for meters that don't support any of the parking apps. Who wants to carry coins? I still remember parking in the old days and realizing I don't have enough change on me. Don't miss those times at all.
Last edited by superswiss; 04-14-2022 at 01:39 AM.
03-21-2022, 07:53 PM
Buh-bye MBUX, Hello MB.OS
Darn the bad luck.
