Mercedes-Benz’s virtual assistant uses Google’s conversational AI agents.

When Mercedes unveiled it at CES 2024, it didn’t reveal which company’s LLM it was using. Meanwhile, the existing MBUX voice assistant system, which can handle about 20 commands triggered by “Hey Mercedes,” now includes results powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Microsoft Bing, but is not a conversational platform. According to Mercedes, there are plans to roll out this upgraded system in “additional models” running the older voice assistant, but it doesn’t specify which models.

The new MBUX Virtual Assistant features four “personality traits”: Spontaneity, Predictability, Personality, and Empathy. You can also ask questions for further clarity to ensure you get what you need.

Google’s new AI agent is purpose-built for automotive use and leverages Google Maps data to find points of interest, find restaurant reviews, provide recommendations, answer follow-up questions, and more. Google says MBUX Virtual Assistant users will have access to “near real-time” Google Maps updates. It also says it can “handle complex multi-turn conversations.”

The agent uses Gemini and runs on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI development platform, designed to help enterprises build AI experiences. “This is just the beginning of how agent capabilities can transform the automotive industry,” Google CEO Sundar Pichai said in a press release.