AI technology could be as profitable as selling cars: Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz is investing heavily in its MBUX infotainment system because of the potential for making money from offering online services, which in future could rival the profits made from selling cars.

Mercedes introduced the latest version of MBUX on the A-Class in 2018, and the system is now available across virtually its entire model line-up.

A key focus of the system is voice control. Mercedes is currently rolling out an over-the-air software update in certain markets allowing more informal language to be used. In China, the firm has also launched a feature that allows users to order and pay for takeaway food via voice control while driving. A service for booking cinema tickets is also being offered.

A recent report predicted the market for automotive AI systems (including hardware, software and in-car services) will rise from £1.6 billion (Rs 14,494 crore) today to £21 billion (Rs 190,239 crore) by 2025.

The desire to capitalise on this has led Mercedes to invest millions in a bespoke system, rather than look to partner with a smartphone provider such as Apple or Google, as some rival car makers are doing.

MBUX: revolution in the cockpit. Mercedes-Benz is investing heavily in the infotainment system due to the potential for making money from offering online services, which in future could rival profits made from selling cars.

When asked by Autocar UK if he believes Mercedes can make as much money from AI systems as from selling cars, MBUX head of user interaction Nils Schanz said: “This is what we are aiming for, and this is why we are investing so heavily in MBUX. We can see there is huge business potential.”

Schanz, who clarified that his job is focused on the user experience and not developing revenue models, said Mercedes has no plans at present to charge owners for using in-car services such as food ordering.

Potential profit streams beyond selling MBUX hardware include charging businesses for access to the food-ordering service and selling access to the platform to third-party app creators. Services including Yelp, Tripadvisor and Apple Music are already available.

Schanz said: “We can see how the business model could develop as a significant source of revenue, although right now there’s no revenue sharing model.”

He noted that developing MBUX’s voice control was also part of a push to increase safety. The system can be operated via touchscreen or physical controls as well, but according to Schanz: “Voice is the safest way, because it keeps a driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

However, Mercedes’ head of user experience design, Klaus Frenzel, told Autocar UK in a separate interview “there’s not one perfect way of interacting with the car”, therefore voice control won’t be Mercedes’ sole controlling interface in future.

Schanz denied ordering and paying for food while driving could be dangerous, saying: “We have safety experts who are really looking at driver distraction and we have strict rules, so we can do nothing that distracts the driver too much.

“The food-ordering experience has been optimised to reduce and simplify it so that it limits the distraction as much as possible. We’re always looking to make it possible to do anything without looking at the screen.

“There are also services that we won’t offer while the vehicle is driving: you can watch TV in MBUX in certain countries, but not while driving. For sure it’s something we’re looking into, and we also need to consider the different laws and different rules in each market.”