Driving your Mercedes-Benz just got more productive: Have conversations with Copilot and join Teams meetings, eliminating any reason to miss your appointments.
In a groundbreaking partnership, Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft have teamed up to revolutionize the automotive industry by integrating a suite of enterprise-grade productivity features into their vehicles. The collaboration, which marks the first time a car OEM has enabled the use of Microsoft Teams within an in-car camera, is set to debut on the Mercedes-Benz CLA with the new MB.OS operating system and fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system.
These innovations aim to transform cars into mobile workplaces, focusing on safety, privacy, and business efficiency. The key productivity features offered include Microsoft Teams Integration, Microsoft 365 Copilot Integration, MBUX Notes and Calendar Sync, and Microsoft Intune Integration.
With Microsoft Teams Integration, drivers can attend meetings while on the move. The vehicle’s built-in camera, designed to hide shared content and presentations from the driver, can be used for Teams video conferences to minimize distractions. The camera can also be manually disabled to control privacy. A new Teams dashboard inside the vehicle allows users to view upcoming appointments, contacts, and optimized chat functionality with built-in voice control for hands-free text input. Users can join meetings directly from the calendar without extra devices.
The integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot allows drivers to interact with the AI assistant using voice commands for tasks such as summarizing emails, retrieving customer information, managing tasks, and preparing for meetings, maintaining productivity on the move while reducing distraction.
The MBUX Notes and Calendar Sync features allow the infotainment system to support in-house productivity apps like Notes and Calendar, which sync seamlessly with Microsoft 365. Meeting reminders appear on the dashboard, and notes can be created or transcribed via voice, making scheduling and task management effortless during travel.
The Microsoft Intune Integration ensures secure sign-in with business accounts and clear separation between private and business data on the vehicle system, mirroring enterprise-level device management found on smartphones and laptops. IT administrators can remotely manage security policies and access rights for company cars, ensuring compliance and data protection.
These innovations constitute a comprehensive digital workspace inside the vehicle, designed to improve business users' workflow, allowing them to stay connected, productive, and secure while on the road. This pioneering approach to blending automotive technology with enterprise software ecosystems represents a significant step forward in the evolving landscape of productivity and connectivity.
However, it's important to note that the availability of these features for regular car users is not explicitly stated. Additionally, the new features require an active "Entertainment Package Plus and Data" volume, and some older cars with built-in selfie cameras may also receive these features, but it's not guaranteed.
This collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft is primarily designed for executives who can afford luxury cars and work frequently away from the office. As the industry continues to evolve, it's likely that these productivity features will become more accessible to a broader range of users, further blurring the lines between work and travel.
- The latest update in the automotive industry involves Microsoft partnering with Mercedes-Benz, integrating productivity features into their vehicles, revolutionizing mobile workplaces.
- The new Mercedes-Benz CLA, equipped with the MB.OS operating system and MBUX infotainment system, will debut this collaboration.
- The collaboration offers Microsoft Teams Integration, enabling drivers to attend meetings while driving, with a built-in camera for video conferences and a Teams dashboard for hands-free use.
- Incorporating Microsoft 365 Copilot lets drivers perform tasks like email summarizing, customer info retrieval, and meeting preparation using voice commands.
- MBUX Notes and Calendar Sync features allow the system to support in-house productivity apps, syncing seamlessly with Microsoft 365 for easy scheduling and task management.
- Microsoft Intune Integration ensures secure sign-ins with business accounts, separating private and business data, mimicking device management found on smartphones and laptops.
- The comprehensive digital workspace inside the vehicle aims to improve business users' workflow, promoting connectivity, productivity, and security while traveling.
- The pioneering approach of bolting automotive technology with enterprise software ecosystems marks a significant advance in the evolving landscape of productivity and connectivity.
- Despite the benefits, availability for regular car users and applicability for older cars with selfie cameras remain uncertain, and requires an active "Entertainment Package Plus and Data" volume.
