Mercedes-Benz and Google Join Forces to Create Next-Generation Navigation Experience

Rhea-AI Summary

Mercedes-Benz and Google have announced a strategic partnership to create a next-generation digital luxury car experience. This collaboration marks Mercedes-Benz as the first automaker to develop a branded navigation system utilizing Google Maps capabilities. Features will include real-time traffic information and automatic rerouting. Customers will initially access Place Details, offering information about over 200 million businesses. Both companies will also explore utilizing Google Cloud for AI, data analytics, and infrastructure solutions to enhance customer experiences and support autonomous driving.

Positive

• Mercedes-Benz to build branded navigation using Google Maps capabilities.
• Initial access to Place Details feature enhances user experience.
• Partnership enables use of Google Cloud's AI and data solutions.

Negative

• None.

• Mercedes-Benz plans to build its own branded navigation using new in-car geospatial data and navigation capabilities from Google Maps Platform.
• The partnership enables Mercedes-Benz to create a driving experience that pairs the trusted, reliable information from Google Maps with its own unique luxury brand and feel.
• The companies agreed to explore further collaboration using Google Cloud's leading artificial intelligence (AI), data and open infrastructure solutions.
• Starting today, Mercedes-Benz will give customers access to initial new features like Place Details, provided by Google.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Feb. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercedes-Benz and Google announced today a long-term strategic partnership to further accelerate auto innovation and create the industry's next-generation digital luxury car experience. With this partnership, Mercedes-Benz will be the first automaker to build its own branded navigation experience based on new in-car data and navigation capabilities from Google Maps Platform.

This will give the luxury automaker access to Google's leading geospatial offering, including detailed information about places, real-time and predictive traffic information, automatic rerouting, and more. By embedding these features into the upcoming Mercedes-Benz Operating System (MB.OS), customers will be able to enjoy a superior navigation experience, thanks to easy usability and outstanding graphics on the car's high-resolution screen. To help enrich the user experience, the companies will bring the YouTube app into the Mercedes-Benz infotainment system. In addition, Mercedes-Benz will use Google Maps data to enable assisted driving features such as automatic speed adjustments before intersections, roundabouts or curves.

"We invite only the very best partners to enhance our operating system and to add to the Mercedes-Benz customer experience. Google has been a leader in maps and navigation for many years. With our strategic partnership, we are excited to create unique services and to elevate the level of convenience for our customers. It will be deeply integrated within our signature Mercedes-Benz user interface and fully connected to relevant vehicle functions like the state-of-charge."
Ola Källenius, Chief Executive Officer, Mercedes-Benz

As a first step, Mercedes-Benz will give customers access to Place Details provided by Google, helping them find detailed information about more than 200 million businesses and places around the world, including business hours, photos, ratings, and reviews. Place Details will be available starting today in all vehicles with the latest generation of MBUX in applicable markets*.

The companies agreed to explore further collaboration using Google Cloud's leading artificial intelligence (AI), data and open infrastructure solutions. For example:

• AI: Mercedes-Benz intends to use Google Cloud's AI and Machine Learning capabilities to create, train, and deploy new models at speed and enhance customer experiences.
• Data: Mercedes-Benz intends to use Google Cloud's fast and efficient data processing platform to analyze fleet data.
• Open Infrastructure: Mercedes-Benz plans to use Google's open infrastructure to securely innovate and scale from on-premises, to edge, to cloud, across Mercedes-Benz's current technology landscape.

"Our partnership with Mercedes-Benz brings advanced technologies from Google Maps Platform, Cloud, and YouTube to help create new experiences for drivers. In addition to enabling Mercedes-Benz to design a customized navigation interface, we'll provide our AI and data capabilities to accelerate their sustainability efforts, advance autonomous driving, and create an enhanced customer experience."
Sundar Pichai, Chief Executive Officer, Google and Alphabet

*all Generation 2020 MBUX (NTG7) vehicles with navigation in connect markets except China, Japan and Korea. Series: 223, 206, 295, 297, 296, 294, 254, 232, 177 (from production 12/2022, model year 22/2), W247 (from production 12/2022, model year 22/2), V167 (from production 12/2022, model year 22/2).

Forward-looking statements:

This document contains forward-looking statements that reflect our current views about future events. The words "anticipate," "assume," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "can," "could," "plan," "project," "should" and similar expressions are used to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to many risks and uncertainties, including an adverse development of global economic conditions, in particular a decline of demand in our most important markets; a deterioration of our refinancing possibilities on the credit and financial markets; events of force majeure including natural disasters, pandemics, acts of terrorism, political unrest, armed conflicts, industrial accidents and their effects on our sales, purchasing, production or financial services activities; changes in currency exchange rates, customs and foreign trade provisions; a shift in consumer preferences towards smaller, lower-margin vehicles; a possible lack of acceptance of our products or services which limits our ability to achieve prices and adequately utilize our production capacities; price increases for fuel or raw materials; disruption of production due to shortages of materials, labour strikes or supplier insolvencies; a decline in resale prices of used vehicles; the effective implementation of cost-reduction and efficiency-optimization measures; the business outlook for companies in which we hold a significant equity interest; the successful implementation of strategic cooperations and joint ventures; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, particularly those relating to vehicle emissions, fuel economy and safety; the resolution of pending governmental investigations or of investigations requested by governments and the outcome of pending or threatened future legal proceedings; and other risks and uncertainties, some of which are described under the heading "Risk and Opportunity Report" in the current Annual Report or in the current Interim Report. If any of these risks and uncertainties materializes or if the assumptions underlying any of our forward-looking statements prove to be incorrect, the actual results may be materially different from those we express or imply by such statements. We do not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements since they are based solely on the circumstances at the date of publication.

Mercedes-Benz Group at a glance
Mercedes-Benz Group AG is one of the world's most successful automotive companies. With Mercedes-Benz AG, the Group is one of the leading global suppliers of premium and luxury cars and vans. Mercedes-Benz Mobility AG offers financing, leasing, car subscription and car rental, fleet management, digital services for charging and payment, insurance brokerage, as well as innovative mobility services. The company founders, Gottlieb Daimler and Carl Benz, made history by inventing the automobile in 1886. As a pioneer of automotive engineering, Mercedes-Benz sees shaping the future of mobility in a safe and sustainable way as both a motivation and obligation. The company's focus therefore remains on innovative and green technologies as well as on safe and superior vehicles that both captivate and inspire. Mercedes-Benz continues to invest systematically in the development of efficient powertrains and sets the course for an all-electric future: The brand with the three-pointed star pursues the goal to go all-electric, where market conditions allow. Shifting from electric-first to electric-only, the world's pre-eminent luxury car company is accelerating toward a fully electric and software-driven future. The company's efforts are also focused on the intelligent connectivity of its vehicles, autonomous driving and new mobility concepts as Mercedes-Benz regards it as its aspiration and obligation to live up to its responsibility to society and the environment. Mercedes-Benz sells its vehicles and services in nearly every country of the world and has production facilities in Europe, North and Latin America, Asia and Africa. In addition to Mercedes-Benz, the world's most valuable luxury automotive brand (source: Interbrand study, 03 Nov. 2022), Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-EQ and Mercedes me as well as the brands of Mercedes-Benz Mobility: Mercedes-Benz Bank, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services and Athlon. The company is listed on the Frankfurt and Stuttgart stock exchanges (ticker symbol MBG). In 2021, the Group had a workforce of around 172,000 and sold 2.3 million vehicles. Group revenues amounted to €168.0 billion and Group EBIT to €29.1 billion.

About Google
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Through products and platforms like Search, Maps, Gmail, Android, Google Play, Google Cloud, Chrome and YouTube, Google plays a meaningful role in the daily lives of billions of people and has become one of the most widely-known companies in the world. Google is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

About Google Cloud
Google Cloud accelerates every organization's ability to digitally transform its business. We deliver enterprise-grade solutions that leverage Google's cutting-edge technology – all on the cleanest cloud in the industry. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted partner to enable growth and solve their most critical business problems.

About Google Maps Platform
Google Maps Platform powers rich geospatial solutions for organizations around the world based on the comprehensive and trusted information from Google Maps. We help customers create innovative products and improve operations with geospatial services for more than 250 countries and territories. Learn more here.

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SOURCE Google Inc.

FAQ

What is the new partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Google about?

Mercedes-Benz and Google have partnered to create a unique branded navigation experience using Google Maps capabilities.

When will new features from the Mercedes-Benz and Google partnership be available?

New features, including Place Details, are available starting today in applicable markets.

What features will be included in the new Mercedes-Benz navigation system?

The new system will include real-time traffic information, automatic rerouting, and access to details about over 200 million businesses.

How does the Google partnership benefit Mercedes-Benz drivers?

The partnership enhances driving experience through advanced navigation, improved AI capabilities, and a seamless integration of Google services.

What is the stock symbol for Mercedes-Benz?

The stock symbol for Mercedes-Benz is MBGYY.