Mercedes research When the Benz becomes the butler

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Sun-tanning paint, salespeople in the living room, and a car that analyzes the emotional world of its occupants: Mercedes presents its version of the automotive future.

How will mobility function in ten or twenty years, and into which projects should the auto industry's investments most wisely flow? These questions concern the companies' fortunes—and involve a great deal of money. For example, Mercedes-Benz spends seven to eight billion euros annually on research and development. What is researched and developed with this vast sum is usually top secret. But now, the Stuttgart (Germany)-based company has provided insight into their work. Eileen Böhme, head of the team for innovation and future technologies at Mercedes, has already set the direction with the motto "Progress must be fun."

A good example of the joy of research is the project to integrate augmented reality glasses into drivers' lives. The plan: Users step into their Mercedes with their own AR glasses, allowing them to combine their personal communication and infotainment ecosystem with that of their vehicle. A test ride in the passenger seat shows what this might look like. Initially, the AR glasses project information about the route and surrounding businesses and attractions into the field of view, using turn arrows reminiscent of head-up displays with augmented reality technology, along with shimmering star strings for a playful touch.

Car Interior

Feasibility of futuristic interior concepts

After a virtual press on the "Entertainment" button, the front right seat transforms into a cinema seat with a massage function, and a fast-paced clip from a "Ghostbuster" movie sweeps over the co-driver in full format, accompanied by impressive Dolby surround sounds. "Mission accomplished," one could say in light of Eileen Böhme's demand for fun through innovation.

Equally entertaining and informative is the following chapter, where virtual and augmented reality are combined into mixed reality (MR). With the appropriate glasses and supported by real-time game computers, customers could configure their future car in their own living room in precise detail, three-dimensionally, and in original size in just a few years.

A snap of the fingers, and the desired color is displayed. Another tap, and the door or trunk lid opens. Artificial intelligence even makes it possible to sit behind the virtual wheel of the desired car on a kitchen or office chair. Or, call up the avatar of a salesperson in a showroom miles away for assistance and take a virtual tour around the object of desire.

Car as a personal butler

The next step towards the future could almost overwhelm people with a sensitive nature. Because, in the "hyper-personalized customer experience," artificial intelligence (AI) and its algorithms also assertively mix into everyday life with the help of the mixed-reality headset. At the star-branded manufacturer, it is phrased like this: "The future Mercedes-Benz model will learn to know its driver and their habits even better. It is intended to recognize moods and needs and function as a supportive companion throughout the day."

This means, as practically and virtually demonstrated in the research studios, a daily routine extensively supported by lots of AI. This ranges from checking stock prices and schedule through AR glasses during the morning coffee, to driving to and from the office, right up to the evening. The car automatically arrives at the doorstep at the desired time. The temperature, radio station, and volume in the car are already individually programmed, and the virtual assistant suggests the most plausible navigation destination—on a weekday, likely the office.

A press of a button on the steering wheel, and the car switches to autonomous driving mode, adjusts the driver's seat accordingly, and brings the browser window with the stock app back into view using voice control. The AI knows the user's wishes and needs, becoming an ever-ready and attentive butler and everyday assistant.

You might find this cool and sensible, or not. One thing is certain: all these functions require immense computing power—and with it, a lot of energy. Mercedes specialists estimate approximately 3,000 watts for automated driving at Level 4. Here, the person in the car no longer needs to be ready to intervene on defined routes and can work, watch movies, or take a nap. The researchers' target for power consumption: these demanding autonomous driving functions should consume no more than 300 watts in the medium term—just one-tenth of the current value.

This is to be made possible by so-called neuromorphic computing (NC), which mimics the exemplary efficiency of the human brain. NC systems can perform AI calculations significantly more efficiently and faster than conventional computers. Moreover, the associated safety systems in the car can better recognize traffic signs, lanes, or other road users even in poor visibility and react more quickly. "The hardware for this should be available in the 2030s," according to the engineers.

Refuel with sun instead of gas

Other topics when looking into the otherwise tightly shielded research labs include: a solar paint that converts light into electricity with the same efficiency as a conventional solar panel. This energy is either used immediately while driving or fed into the battery. Or novel brakes, which are no longer placed in the wheels, but integrated into the left and right sides of the motor-gearbox block of the electric car. There, they are intended to perform their work practically maintenance-free for the car's lifetime.

Or biotechnologically produced leather from recycled plastic and certified biomethane, which is visually indistinguishable from natural leather and significantly surpasses the original in properties like durability and elasticity. Mercedes specialists are also close to the finish line with artificial silk—its deployment in production.

Hidden object pictures for adults

The questions of what world the new technology will eventually encounter and how urban mobility will change over the next 15 to 20 years are also being explored intensively at Mercedes. A global network of sociologists and philosophers, scientists, futurists, and architects, as well as startups and high-tech companies, is investigating the technical and social innovations in metropolises to develop guidelines for developers. Future scenarios based on the insights from the research network illustrate how digitization and climate change could affect different cities by 2040 and beyond.

These depictions resemble a bit like hidden object pictures for adults, showcasing street scenes from London, Los Angeles, and the Chinese mega-city Shenzhen. The differences in the scenarios are significant. This suggests that car manufacturers will no longer be able to achieve global success with a one-size-fits-all portfolio in the future. Each market requires specifically tailored solutions. "The trends are diverging," notes Mercedes-Benz Chief Technology Officer Markus Schäfer. Innovation Chief Eileen Böhme is confident for this very reason: "The most exciting chapter of the automobile is yet to come."