Mercedes-Benz AG Partners with Cisco to Drive Hybrid Work Innovation in Automotive

Rhea-AI Summary

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) has partnered with Mercedes-Benz to integrate Webex Meetings and Calling into the new E Class vehicles, enhancing the mobile office experience for hybrid workers. This collaboration, announced at the Mobile World Congress on February 27, 2023, aims to provide drivers with a safe and secure collaboration environment. Features include enhanced audio with noise cancellation and a focus on safety during vehicle operation, allowing audio-only meetings when moving. The vehicles are set to arrive in dealerships this spring, equipped with Wi-Fi and cellular connectivity for Webex access.

Positive

• Partnership with Mercedes-Benz enhances Cisco's market presence in automotive sector.
• Integration of Webex in vehicles offers unique features like AI audio capabilities and safety-focused communication.

Negative

• Potential reliance on Webex technology may expose Cisco to risks if adoption rates are slower than expected.

NEWS SUMMARY:

• New Mercedes-Benz E Class vehicles will be equipped with Webex Meetings and Calling and utilize Webex AI audio capabilities to enable greater flexibility for the hybrid workforce – while putting safety at the forefront.
• Drivers benefit from a secure and intuitive collaboration experience with Webex.
• Partnership reinforces Mercedes-Benz and Cisco's joint commitment to innovation in hybrid work and connected vehicles.

BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 27, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at Mobile World Congress, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced it is working with Mercedes-Benz to provide an optimal mobile office experience in its new Mercedes-Benz E Class vehicles. In today's era of hybrid work, people expect an exceptional experience regardless of how and where they work – and the car is no exception. This partnership will help people get work done safely, securely, and comfortably in their vehicles, with the modern luxury and intuitive features that Mercedes-Benz and Webex customers are accustomed to.

Mercedes-Benz is committed to innovating its vehicles for the modern, digital era; and partnering with Cisco was a natural fit given the company's leadership in secure, intuitive collaboration with Webex. The future of transportation is here now – and this partnership marks a momentous step forward with in-vehicle innovation and experiences.

Mercedes-Benz and Cisco are jointly addressing the needs of the ever-evolving hybrid workforce. The partnership makes it possible for an architect in the parking lot of a job site to collaborate with their team back at the firm, for example, or take a meeting between visiting a client and picking up the kids from after school care.

Together, the companies are transforming the car into a home office.

"Hybrid work is centered on the work you do, not where you do it – whether it's in the office, home, car, or anywhere in between," said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Security & Collaboration, Cisco. "The mobile office cannot progress without the reliable and secure collaboration technology that only Cisco can provide. This partnership with Mercedes-Benz, a leader in automotive luxury, marks a big step forward in delivering the flexibility that the hybrid workforce demands."

Enabling Frictionless Meetings and Calls
Drivers will be able to conduct frictionless meetings and calls with Meetings and enterprise grade calling with Webex. These features are all part of the Webex Suite, which provides the continuous, secure, and reliable connectivity that Cisco is known for. Webex's proprietary audio intelligence technology offers best-in-class noise cancelation, enhancing the experience for the driver and any passengers working in the vehicle. Webex's technology makes it easier to hear and be heard by singling out and boosting the clarity of an individual's voice while eliminating distracting background noises, such as road noise and, at times, co-passengers talking, that come with the flexibility of conducting meetings and calls from the vehicle.

Safety-Centric Approach
Core to this announcement is safety: when the vehicle is moving, meetings and calls will use audio-only. When parked, users can harness Webex's full immersive collaboration experience in their E Class, including video meetings, automatic AI-powered transcription, content sharing, and reactions (such as a thumbs up or celebration emoji).

Availability
The interior of the 2024 Mercedes-Benz E Class was previewed on February 22, 2023. The new vehicle will be equipped with Wi-Fi and cellular data connection, among many other things. Using either connection, drivers can download the Webex App from the Mercedes Benz Car App Store to appear directly on the touchscreen of the vehicle's infotainment system, eliminating the dependency on phone. This offering will be available globally in the new Mercedes-Benz E Class vehicles, which are expected to arrive at dealerships this spring.

Cisco works with over 32,000 transportation organizations in 169 countries worldwide and has 25,000 patents in the transportation space. This partnership with Mercedes-Benz is part of Webex for Automobiles (blog here), including Webex Meetings for Apple CarPlay and its collaboration with Ford Motor Company.

About Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Group AG, headquartered in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim, is responsible for the distribution, marketing and customer service for all Mercedes-Benz products in the United States. MBUSA offers drivers the most diverse lineup in the luxury segment with 15 model lines ranging from the sporty GLA SUV to the flagship S-Class and the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series. MBUSA is also responsible for Mercedes-Benz Vans in the U.S. More information on MBUSA and its products can be found at www.mbusa.com and www.mbvans.com. 

About Cisco  
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in technology that powers the Internet. Cisco inspires new possibilities by reimagining your applications, securing your data, transforming your infrastructure, and empowering your teams for a global and inclusive future. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on Twitter at @Cisco. 

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company. 

About Webex by Cisco 
Webex is a leading provider of cloud-based collaboration solutions which includes video meetings, calling, messaging, events, polling, asynchronous video and customer experience solutions like contact center and purpose-built collaboration devices. Webex's focus on delivering inclusive collaboration experiences fuels our innovation, which leverages AI and Machine Learning, to remove the barriers of geography, language, personality and familiarity with technology. Its solutions are underpinned with security and privacy by design. Webex works with the world's leading business and productivity apps – delivered through a single application and interface. Learn more at webex.com. 

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SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What is the partnership between Cisco and Mercedes-Benz about?

Cisco is partnering with Mercedes-Benz to integrate Webex Meetings and Calling into the new E Class vehicles.

When was the partnership between Cisco and Mercedes-Benz announced?

The partnership was announced on February 27, 2023, at the Mobile World Congress.

What features will Webex provide in the new Mercedes-Benz E Class vehicles?

Webex will provide features like audio noise cancellation, secure collaboration, and safety-focused audio-only meetings while driving.

When will the new Mercedes-Benz E Class vehicles with Webex be available?

The new E Class vehicles are expected to arrive at dealerships in spring 2023.

How does the Cisco and Mercedes-Benz partnership enhance hybrid work?

The partnership enables a mobile office experience, allowing users to collaborate securely and flexibly while driving.