MBUX – Mercedes-Benz User Experience: Revolution in the Cockpit. The name MBUX for the new infotainment system signals that the user experience (UX) is to the fore. A unique feature of this system is its ability to learn thanks to artificial intelligence. MBUX can be individualised and adapts to suit the user. It thus creates an emotional connection between the vehicle, driver and passengers. At the same time updates “over the air” are possible. It also heralds a new era at Mercedes me Connectivity.
Its further strengths include the high-resolution Widescreen Cockpit with touchscreen operation, navigation display with augmented reality technology plus intelligent voice control with natural speech recognition, which is activated with the keyword “ Hey Mercedes”.
MBUX is used in the entire new compact car generation from Mercedes-Benz and will enter series production in spring 2018 in the new A-Class. Its highlight is the comprehensive touch operation concept – the combination of a touchscreen, touchpad on the centre console and Touch-Control Buttons in the steering wheel. In addition to the intuitive operating experience, less driver distraction is another advantage.
MBUX is a further step in redefining Modern Luxury in the compact class. The new A-Class breaks new ground, starting in the interior. The unique architecture is particularly marked by the avantgarde design of the dashboard and is a unique feature in this segment.
There is a low-lying body in this open interior architecture. This so-called wing shows the sheer appreciation of form with its powerful and full volume.
The wing shape also appears to float since there are no connection points or transitions to the surroundings. The so-called moat allows the wing body to float to the main body of the dashboard and is also the source of scattered light for indirect lighting. This makes for very special ambience lighting: indirectly lit from below, it illuminates the main body in a similar way to the night-time illumination of a historic building.
Intelligent systems such as MBUX are also the basis of all four strategical CASE fields. CASE – these letters will shape the future of mobility. They stand for the fields of networking (Connected), autonomous driving (Autonomous), flexible use (Shared & Services) and electric drive systems (Electric). The four CASE fields are an integral part of the corporate strategy.
MBUX is a revolution of the User Experience in the car. Emotively appealing showcasing features underline the comprehensibility of the control structure and thrill through brilliant 3D maximum-resolution graphics which are rendered, i.e. calculated and displayed, in real time.
The operating system on the free-standing Widescreen Cockpit comprises three levels with increasing information density:
On the first level you find what is known as the Homescreen. This is where, alongside the freely selectable main applications (e.g. telephone, navigation and radio), the most important information (such as arrival time, song currently being played etc.) is displayed.
The next level – the Basescreen – with the display and controls for one main application respectively, such as Media and Navigation, is only one step away. The most important information and control options respectively are attractively presented at this level. Important functions such as destination or music search are grouped at the bottom edge of the screen.
For seldom-used information and settings there is the Submenu on the final level.
Operation is horizontal and makes optimum use of the widescreen format of the display. As on a stage a space is created which not only sets standards visually, but also supports navigation between the individual information levels.
The fully digital instrument cluster can be configured virtually entirely according to personal preferences. As an alternative to the classic speed display in the left-hand tube, displays such as Analog Clock, From Start, From Reset, Range or Information on the current radio station / media title can be placed there. In the right-hand tube, in addition to the rev counter, an assistance graphic, the current consumption, the ECO display or a navigation map can also be displayed.
In Fullscreen Mode the entire area of the instrument cluster is used for displaying Assistance, Journey or Navigation:
Behind the MBUX design is the holistic approach that aims to make operating the vehicle, which is becoming even more complex, as user-friendly as possible and at the same time enjoyable in a sensual way. The merging of the real and virtual worlds opens up new dimensions in the areas of comfort, safety and modern luxury.
