Mercedes-AMG is revolutionizing the in-car entertainment landscape with the unveiling of MBUX SOUND DRIVE, a groundbreaking technology developed in collaboration with visionary artist will.i.am. This innovative system transforms your drive in a Mercedes into an interactive musical experience, allowing the vehicle itself to become a virtual instrument. Imagine your car responding to your every move, translating acceleration, braking, and steering into a dynamic musical composition – this is the reality MBUX SOUND DRIVE delivers.
Experience Music Like Never Before on Your Mercedes Drive
MBUX SOUND DRIVE utilizes a sophisticated array of sensors and advanced software to interpret the nuances of your drive in a Mercedes. It captures data from various driving dynamics – including recuperation, acceleration, steering input, and braking force – and ingeniously converts these actions into musical expressions. This real-time translation empowers the driver to essentially “compose” music while on the move, creating a unique and deeply personal soundtrack for every journey.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes the customer-centric approach behind this innovation: “At Mercedes-Benz, we want digital innovation to bring a smile to our customers’ faces through exciting new features that make a real difference to every journey. With MBUX SOUND DRIVE, AMG drivers are in control of the way their music sounds. It makes in-car entertainment much more immersive.”
will.i.am, the creative force behind this technology, shares his vision: “Imagine a world where your car can become an instrument creating musical journeys. MBUX SOUND DRIVE enhances driving and sound technology, letting motorists reshape music just by driving. I’m excited to see how composers, producers, and songwriters will harness this to create new works and reimagine classics for motorist to drive to. MBUX SOUND DRIVE is not only a new frontier for music creation, but also opens up fresh, exciting and interactive listening experiences for drivers.”
From Studio Innovation to the Open Road: The Sound of Your Mercedes Drive
The genesis of MBUX SOUND DRIVE is rooted in the long-standing and fruitful partnership between Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am. Driven by will.i.am’s expertise as a record producer, the project evolved into the creation of an interactive musical landscape within the car. The technology establishes a seamless connection between the vehicle’s hardware and music software through precise ‘in-car signals’. This intricate system enables music to dynamically respond to the specific driving characteristics experienced during your drive in a Mercedes, creating an unparalleled auditory experience.
A Platform for Musical Innovation: Expanding the Horizons of the Mercedes Drive Experience
While providing an immersive sound experience for your drive in a Mercedes is a core achievement, the ambition for MBUX SOUND DRIVE extends further. The long-term objective is to cultivate this technology into an open music platform. This vision aims to empower artists worldwide, across diverse genres, to create tracks specifically designed for this innovative immersive audio format, utilizing dedicated MBUX SOUND DRIVE studio software.
The global rollout of MBUX SOUND DRIVE is scheduled to commence from mid-2024. It will be accessible on Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the second-generation MBUX system. Existing Mercedes customers with compatible vehicles can access the MBUX Software Update via an over-the-air (OTA) update. This update can be initiated through the Update Wizard on their MBUX display or via the Mercedes me app, following a notification of availability in their region.
Experience the Future of Driving Music: Test Drive MBUX SOUND DRIVE
For those eager to witness MBUX SOUND DRIVE in action, Mercedes-AMG offered exclusive test drives at CES 2024. Visitors had the opportunity to experience this revolutionary technology firsthand at the MBUX SOUND DRIVE stand in the Diamond Lot, booking test drives in Mercedes-AMG EQE Sedan and EQE SUV models. These dynamic demonstrations provided a compelling glimpse into the future of in-car entertainment and the enhanced emotional connection now possible with every drive in a Mercedes.
To further explore the intricacies of this musical innovation, Mercedes-Benz hosted an engaging discussion led by CTO Markus Schäfer and will.i.am at CES 2024. This presentation delved into the creative vision, the scientific principles, and the future trajectory of MBUX SOUND DRIVE, offering valuable insights into this groundbreaking technology.
With MBUX SOUND DRIVE, Mercedes-AMG is not just enhancing in-car entertainment; they are redefining the very essence of the drive in a Mercedes, transforming it into a personalized and dynamic musical journey.
