Mercedes-Benz joins hands with Volcano Engine for enhanced AI-powered smart cockpit

Beijing (Gasgoo)- Mercedes-Benz Group China Ltd. recently signed a strategic cooperation memorandum with ByteDance-backed Beijing Volcano Engine Technology Co., Ltd. to collaborate on large models, generative AI, and big data technologies, Volcano Engine announced via its WeChat account on August 13.

Signing ceremony; photo credit: Volcano Engine

This partnership aims to accelerate digital innovation in China, enhancing the smart cockpit experience for Mercedes-Benz customers with more intelligent, convenient, and personalized digital luxury features.

Mercedes-Benz has already collaborated with Volcano Engine on in-car applications and development tools. In 2023, the automaker integrated Volcano Engine's in-car audio and video app into its smart cockpit system.

Based on this new memorandum, Mercedes-Benz and Volcano Engine plan to expand their cooperation in several key areas:

Enhanced information retrieval: By leveraging large model’s capabilities in intent recognition and logical reasoning, future virtual assistants will become smarter and more knowledgeable, improving the smart cockpit’s ability to retrieve information from vast knowledge bases.

Improved response speed: Through atomization of cockpit services, the system will more efficiently execute commands, significantly enhancing the voice system’s response speed and execution capabilities.

Expanded intelligent applications: The partnership will also focus on expanding use cases in voice, navigation, entertainment, and information services, delivering a more intelligent, convenient, and personalized smart cockpit experience.

Faster R&D: Mercedes-Benz's China R&D team will continue to accelerate their R&D speed, with both parties pushing forward cooperation on plugins and toolchains.