Mercedes-Benz takes over-the-air upgrade to the next level

STUTTGART: Mercedes-Benz is expanding the possibility of upgrading vehicle programmes and systems over-the-air (OTA) instead of just updating them.

Mercedes-Benz's Digital Vehicle & Mobility head Georges Massing said with OTA, it is not just software updates that the company could deliver to vehicles already sold but also features which haven't even been invented yet.

"OTA enables the vehicle to become a more and more effective tool for the customer as time goes on," he said.

Massing said OTA updates were not new for Mercedes-Benz.

"Thanks to our many years of experience and many successfully run OTA campaigns over the years, our customers always have the latest software in the vehicle," he said.

What started with Mercedes-Benz vehicles in the US in 2013 has become standard for the Mercedes-Benz User eXperience (MBUX) infotainment system today.

Some twelve million over-the-air updates have now been performed with many MBUX customers around the world visiting the Mercedes me Store to book and add additional services and optional extras.

With over-the-air updates, completely new features enter the vehicle that is already with the customer.

As soon as a new update is available from Mercedes-Benz, a message is shown in the vehicle's central display; along with the download and installation of the update done in the background.

The user then has to agree again explicitly to the activation.

Mercedes-Benz relies on mobile radio technology and the communication module installed in the vehicle to transmit the data which is said to be the most secure way.

Updating the navigation maps stored in the vehicle began with the E-Class in 2016.

What previously required the insertion of a data medium such as a DVD, or a workshop visit, now takes place automatically over the air every three months, assuming the customer has activated this service in the Mercedes me Portal.

A further option for an updated and improved user experience is the additional booking of new functions in the Mercedes me Store such as Smartphone Integration like CarPlay or Android Auto, In-Car Office or the digital radio DAB+ for optimum radio reception.

And the best thing of all is that services whose subscription has expired can also be renewed quickly and easily online via the Mercedes me Store.

Currently, A-Class owners who have been using MBUX since 2018 are now receiving the additional streaming services TIDAL and Amazon Music, as well as access to the Mercedes me Store in MBUX.