According to parent company Daimier (http://www.daimler.com/) Mercedes-Benz is making smartphones mobile and ensuring that such electronic assistants will in future be fully linked into the car’s infotainment system.
First off the blocks is the Apple iPhone, which Mercedes-Benz has now integrated comprehensively into the user experience concept of the new A-Class, which the company says is the first automotive manufacturer in the world to take this step. Thanks to a new “Digital DriveStyle App,” developed in-house, together with the “Drive Kit Plus for the Apple iPhone,” drivers can now access all the key content of their Apple smartphone through the in-vehicle display and operate the device via the controller on the center armrest.
What’s more, Mercedes-Benz will enable access to the voice-based intelligent companion Siri in the vehicle. This allows natural speech input, without the need for specific commands, to send messages, select music tracks and check the weather forecast or stock prices, as well as to make appointments. All the iPhone integration functions can be used even with the entry-level Audio 20 system.
The iPhone is connected through an interface developed by Mercedes-Benz Accessories. This allows content to be fed directly from the graphics output of the device to the display of the vehicle. At the same time, the iPhone is both powered and charged automatically while it is being used.
