CES 2024: Mercedes-Benz Shows Off CLA Concept, New AI Virtual Assistant
The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) kicked off this week in Las Vegas, showcasing the latest gadgets, but also focussing heavily on artificial intelligence. The event, which takes place every year in sin city, has long brought together big names such as Google, Samsung and others to showcase the latest technologies. But automakers are now taking part in this big tech fest, and the cars they produce are heavily influenced by the technology CES brings to the table.
The CLA Concept Makes North American Debut
Mercedes-Benz is one of those manufacturers that wants to be at the forefront with latest gadgets. But these technologies are useless without context. So, the automaker brought its CLA concept, which unveiled at last year's Munich Motor Show. Based on the automaker's new MMA (Mercedes-Benz Modular Architecture) platform, this CLA Concept promises to fight the Tesla Model 3 with impressive performance and battery technologies. It is expected to provide upwards of 750 kilometres of range according to the European WLTP cycle.
- Also: Watch: Upcoming Mercedes G-Class EV Turns Sin City Into Spin City
- Also: Mercedes-Benz Scales Back EV Shift, ICE-Powered Cars to be Updated
Moreover, it could also reach unprecedented charging speeds in excess of 300 kW. This would enable it to recover no less than 400 kilometers in 15 minutes at a Level 3 charging station with sufficient power output.
But it's what's on the gigantic screen dominating the concept's interior that CES visitors are turning their attention. It has been given an enhanced version of the MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience) interface, which now includes - you guessed it - a virtual assistant equipped with artificial intelligence to enhance the car/driver relationship in the cockpit. This assistant can adopt different personalities according to the driver's choice: Natural, Predictive, Personal and Empathetic.
Does this mean your Benz could cheer you up when you're having a bad day? Or even rub your back when you’re sad? Who knows. But all this is made possible by a new Mercedes-Benz operating system (MB.OS).
DJ Mercedes-Benz is in the House ?
Apart from partnerships with Audible and Amazon Music to emphasize in-cabin podcast listening, and Dolby Atmos technology that promises a superior sound experience, Mercedes-Benz provides the driver and passengers with some rather interesting functions.
One of these is MBUX Sound Drive, a technology developed in conjunction with the famous artist and entrepreneur will.i.am, which allows the music to react and transform according to driving dynamics. Thanks to a set of sensors that collect data on recovery, acceleration, steering and braking, the software can literally convert driving dynamics into music, just like a DJ would.
Useful? Not really. Entertaining? Hell yes!
The MMA platform is set to give birth to a series of four vehicles, all equipped with the MB.OS operating system and all capable of pushing the limits of human/machine interaction on the road.