In connected car news are Mercedes-Benz, Microsoft, Infineon, VinFast, Tesla, ESS H.E.L.P., Tesla & Hyundai.
In this Article
MBZ Intros Apple Music with Spatial Audio
Apple and Mercedes‑Benz announced that Apple Music’s highly acclaimed Spatial Audio with support for Dolby Atmos is now available as a native experience in Mercedes‑Benz vehicles for the first time, delivering on a shared commitment to provide customers worldwide with the very best music experience. Apple Music with Spatial Audio comes fully integrated through the MBUX infotainment system first in the Mercedes‑Maybach S‑Class, the EQS and EQS SUV, as well as the EQE, EQE SUV and the S‑Class, equipping these vehicles with studio-quality sound better than in any concert hall, and giving drivers a fully immersive listening experience with unparalleled, multidimensional sound and clarity.
Mercedes-Benz drivers who are already subscribed to Apple Music gain immediate access to an ever-growing selection of songs and albums available in Spatial Audio from some of the world’s biggest artists spanning all genres, including hip-hop, country, Latin, pop, and classical1. Apple Music also offers curated Spatial Audio playlists like Driving in Spatial Audio and Hip-Hop in Spatial Audio, where listeners can find and discover songs from their favorite artists. Additionally, subscribers can access Apple Music’s entire catalog of 100 million songs, thousands of editorially curated playlists, and daily selections from the world’s best music experts, including all of the artists and hosts broadcasting across its Apple Music 1, Apple Music Hits, and Apple Music Country global live-stream radio stations.
The limited edition Mercedes‑Maybach by Virgil Abloh, released to consumers recently, was one of the first cars in the world — and the first model in the Mercedes‑Benz lineup — to offer this superior, multidimensional soundscape powered by the Burmester® high-end 4D sound system. The technology will be rolled out to other models soon.
The Burmester® high-end 4D sound system includes:
- 31 speakers, including six 3D speakers that emit their sound from above, 4 near-ear speakers in the front seats, an 18.5-liter subwoofer
- 8 sound transducers (two per seat)
- 2 amplifiers
- 1750 watts power
Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft Collaborate to Boost Efficiency, Resilience and Sustainability in Car Production
Mercedes-Benz AG and Microsoft Corp. collaborate to make vehicle production more efficient, resilient and sustainable. With the new MO360 Data Platform, Mercedes-Benz is connecting its around 30 passenger car plants worldwide to the Microsoft Cloud, enhancing transparency and predictability across its digital production and supply chain. The MO360 Data Platform is the evolution of Mercedes-Benz’ digital production ecosystem MO360 and allows teams to identify potential supply chain bottlenecks faster and enable a dynamic prioritization of production resources towards electric and Top-End vehicles. This unified data platform is standardized on Microsoft Azure, providing Mercedes-Benz with flexibility and cloud computing power to run artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics at global scale while addressing cybersecurity and compliance standards across regions. The platform is already available to teams in EMEA and will be deployed in the United States and China.
AirConsole and the BMW Group announced a partnership which will bring casual gaming into new BMW vehicles, starting next year. AirConsole is a gaming platform which perfectly fits with the BMW Curved Display and offers a large and diverse catalogue of games. The games are run directly inside the vehicle entertainment system. The AirConsole technology enables games to be instantly delivered over-the-air and to control them using smartphones.
“With AirConsole we will leverage innovative technologies combined with a broad variety of fun and multiplayer games. This will make every waiting situation inside the vehicle, such as charging, an enjoyable moment,” said Stephan Durach – Senior Vice President BMW Group Connected Company Development.
Anthony Cliquot, CEO of N-Dream, the company behind the AirConsole brand: “We are extremely proud to spearhead gaming inside vehicles with BMW and are excited to create new games for in-car entertainment. Our ingenious architecture coupled with the ease of access of our platform will change the way people get entertained in their vehicles.”
Setting up the gaming experience with AirConsole is seamless. Players only need a smartphone, which serves as the game controller, and the BMW Curved Display. The connection between the smartphone and the vehicle is established, for example, by scanning a QR code in the vehicle. The players can then instantly enjoy entertaining gameplay.
The BMW Group chose AirConsole as a partner via the BMW Startup Garage program.
Infineon & VinFast Extend Partnership
Infineon Technologies AG, the world leader in automotive semiconductor solutions, and VinFast, Vietnam’s first global smart electric car maker, announced to extend their partnership on occasion of Infineon’s OktoberTech™ Asia Pacific 2022 Technology Forum in Singapore. The two companies will set up a joint application competence center focusing on electromobility in Hanoi to accelerate VinFast’s development of solutions for the future of smart mobility. The inauguration of the center is planned in the first quarter of 2023.
The creation of the VinFast–Infineon Competence Center (VICC) signals a new level in the relationship between both companies, who will jointly engage in the early development phase of VinFast’s next-generation smart mobility solutions and will also discuss future semiconductor requirements to achieve supply chain stability. VICC will initially focus on the development of a new electric drive train (EDT) for VinFast electrified platforms. This is a part of VinFast’s strategy to connect intelligence globally and to ensure its competitive advantages in the global EV market.
ESS H.E.L.P. for Tesla
Emergency Safety Solutions, Inc. (ESS), creator of the Hazard Enhanced Location Protocol (H.E.L.P.®) which revolutionizes vehicle hazard warning systems to help prevent crashes into disabled and vulnerable vehicles and their occupants, announced today it has signed a global agreement with Tesla, Inc. to deploy H.E.L.P. on Tesla models initially in North America via over-the-air software update.
This will be the first passenger vehicle implementation of H.E.L.P. technology and is expected to be added to a range of Tesla vehicles.
Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) today announced a new global strategy to transform all vehicles to Software Defined Vehicles (SDVs) by 2025. The industry-leading initiative, presented during the Group’s Unlock the Software Age global online forum, will deliver an unprecedented era of mobility, giving customers the freedom to remotely upgrade the performance and functionality of their vehicles anywhere at any time.
The Group also shared plans to transform the customer experience throughout the vehicle’s entire lifetime and deliver a new era of mobility via constantly evolving software technology.
Hyundai’s Software Plans
Hyundai Motor Group’s constantly evolving mobility and software technology will ensure that all models, including those already purchased, remain up to date. This will enable vehicle functions, including safety, convenience, connectivity, security, and driving performance, to be upgraded via Over-The-Air (OTA) software updates. Based on the Group’s next-generation EV platform, integrated controller, and an internally developed Connected Car Operating System (ccOS), all Group vehicles will be equipped to receive OTA software updates by 2025.
The Group expects 20 million vehicles to be registered to its connected car service worldwide by 2025. Connected vehicles equipped with cutting-edge telecommunication features will create unprecedented value and possibilities and provide customers personalized services, such as software subscriptions.
Furthermore, connected car data will network with future Group mobility solutions, including Purpose Built Vehicles (PBVs), Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), robotaxis and robots. By establishing a new data platform, innovative services will be provided through connecting and processing the various data generated throughout the car life cycle, as well as promoting the creation of an open ecosystem in partnership with diverse industries such as logistics and accommodation.
The Group will also invest heavily in software technology to integrate hardware and software technologies and enhance and internalize mobility technology capabilities. By 2030, the Group plans to invest 18 trillion won in resources, including the establishment of a new Global Software Center to bolster its software capabilities and accelerate Software Defined Vehicle development.
“By transforming all vehicles to Software Defined Vehicles by 2025, Hyundai Motor Group will completely redefine the concept of the automobile and take the lead in ushering in a never-before-experienced era of mobility,” said Chung Kook Park, President and Head of R&D Division, Hyundai Motor Group. “Creating visionary vehicles empowered with the ability to evolve through software will enable customers to keep their vehicles up to date with the latest features and technology long after they have left the