Future Experience – How Mercedes-Benz is rethinking mobility
The invitation from Mercedes Benz to an event with the illustrious name FUTURE EXPERIENCE at the beginning of November came as a surprise. The topics? Urban Futures, Biotech Materials, Hyperpersonality, Power converter, Solar lack, In-drive brake, Neuromorphic computing … There seems to be a lot going on at the home of the world’s most famous star – so let’s look to the future!
Innovation is nothing new in the automotive industry. Progress must always be made in order to survive. But what is really new: “Today is a special day because we have never opened the doors to this earlier phase of innovation. We are looking into the world of 2040+,” explains Eileen Böhme, Head of Innovation & Future Technologies R&D. The world is changing, and Mercedes is feeling it too. In order to keep up with the trends, it is important to remain positive and inspiring and to have the courage to change: “Change creates friction, but if you stand still, there is no friction and therefore no change,” says Böhme. That’s why they scout the world for the best pioneers and technologies to keep the balance and change in society stable. This includes dialog with customers, scientists, philosophers, artists and skeptics. In a world of upheaval and rethinking, Mercedes succeeds in placing its cars in the context of society and the new world. The company is investing a lot of money in this. Seven to eight billion euros flow into research and development.
The first tender seedlings can now be presented to journalists before or if they bear fruit at some point. Or as board member Markus Schäfer aptly put it: “We are looking deep into the crystal ball, which doesn’t mean that everything will turn out that way. But power points alone are useless, research has to be translated into reality”.
From visions to innovations: Cities of the future by Mercedes
Marianne Reeb is a futurist and futurologist. This title alone captivated me. Together with international colleagues, she has looked into the question of what mobility could look like in 2040+. The focus is naturally on cities, as six out of ten people will be living in cities by 2030. The goal is a digital city. She shows what this could look like in impressive future images of three major cities: London, Los Angeles and Shenzhen.
- London 2040+: The British capital could play a pioneering role in the integration of public and private transport. Founded 2000 years ago, it was the largest city in the world until 100 years ago. Bicycle highways, robo-taxis and green infrastructure create a sustainable and liveable environment. Central parking solutions link cars, bicycles and public transport, while electric delivery vehicles efficiently serve the last mile.
- Los Angeles 2040+: In the sprawling City of Angels, founded in 1781, the car will continue to be an important part of life in the future. Intelligent traffic systems, dedicated lanes for autonomous vehicles and robo-taxis as well as solar-powered electric cars will make mobility more efficient and environmentally friendly. Green façades and intelligent water management set an example for climate protection.
- Shenzhen 2040+: The Chinese high-tech metropolis is leading the digital transformation. A fishing village with 3,500 inhabitants in 1950, the city now has 13 million inhabitants and is one of the biggest tech players. Today, it is the pilot area where new technologies are being tested. This enormous progress is possible because the 5G network has been in operation since 2020 and will be replaced by the 6G network from 2030. With vertical transportation levels, drone logistics and air cabs, the city offers a model for the future. Connected vehicles communicate via a “vehicle road cloud”, while parks and green infrastructure in the middle of high-rise buildings ensure quality of life.
These possible scenarios show: Mobility is not only becoming more efficient, but also seamlessly integrated into the urban living space. Because the car must be understood in the context of people and the world. And that is why the Mercedes vehicles of the future must be integrated into urban structures.
A journey into the world of AI: from hyper-personalization to the mixed reality experience
It was impressive to enter the hallowed halls of the Future Technology Lab in Böblingen. From the large hall, we went into the individual rooms where the innovations were presented. Behind each door was a different world. I felt like an avatar and I loved it!
Scenario of a future journey
The first room looks like a movie studio in which I play the lead role. I put on the glasses and I’m already in the Avatar. Or is it the Matrix? Which pill have I swallowed? The red one or the blue one? I relax and drink my matcha latte while my Mercedes adjusts to the ideal temperature and ambience. I’m sitting on an expensive designer sofa in the ultra-modern Bauhaus-style villa, planning my appointments via mixed reality headset, while the AR navigation intuitively projects waypoints into the real environment. Now I stand up and use my thumb and index finger to catapult myself into the huge forecourt, where my car is already waiting for me. The Mercedes team has already prepared a chair for me, suggesting that I sit in the car and start it. I still have the steering wheel in my hand. For distractions or creative breaks, I switch to autonomous mode – while the car makes suitable suggestions for the day according to my individual preferences.
Focus on AR and MR technologies
But even as a passenger, I won’t be bored in the future. On the contrary: thanks to augmented reality, I will have even more fun! Mercedes-Benz is pushing ahead with the integration of AR glasses to offer passengers an immersive experience. The “Bring Your Own Device” approach allows customers to bring their own customized AR glasses. While this is already common practice in Asia, we are still a long way off in Europe. What can the glasses do? I get to test them as a passenger in the chic Maybach through rainy and rather gray Böblingen. The glasses are comfortable to wear and look stylish too. Following the satnav is nothing special, but it’s brilliant how the satnav is now set up, with functions that are so precise that you can’t miss a turn. But my favorite was watching a movie while driving. And while I’m in the middle of the movie, the driver doesn’t notice anything – neither the movie nor the sound. Or how about mediation while driving? Also possible. Just like in the Avatar movie, I can beam myself into paradise and leave everyday life behind me for a few moments! In addition to intuitive navigation, entertainment, wellness and comfort can be experienced on a whole new level!
Revolutionary mixed reality design
Another milestone is the MR configurator. I can customize my dream vehicle, in this case the One Eleven, virtually and in real time, while the development teams work on projects across borders and save resources. One call with the Apple Vision Pro and the employee from 600 km away is standing in my garage as a hologram! I explain my wishes to him and he immediately makes them visible. In the same way, I can change the color and interior with a wave of my hand. And immediately check whether the car I want even fits in my garage! I can drive it in with a wave of my hand. By reducing the number of physical prototypes and using state-of-the-art technologies, Mercedes-Benz is creating a sustainable and innovative design ecosystem for the future.
Technological highlights: From photovoltaic coating to in-drive brakes
The following presentation was an absolute surprise and sounded surreal at first glance. If they were realized, they would be groundbreaking in all segments of sustainability and resource efficiency.
- Photovoltaic paint: a revolution in energy generation. The wafer-thin solar paint could generate energy for up to 12,000 kilometers per year on an area of 11 square meters – depending on the intensity of the sun. In Los Angeles, up to 100 percent of the mileage could be covered by solar energy. This system not only makes electric vehicles more sustainable, but also cheaper.
- In-Drive Brake: A completely new approach to braking in electric vehicles. Instead of being located in the wheel, the brake is located directly in the drive unit. This design is not only virtually maintenance-free and durable, but also significantly lighter. It reduces brake dust emissions to zero and opens up new design possibilities thanks to closed rims.
- Neuromorphic computing: the future of autonomous driving is energy efficient. The technology inspired by the human brain drastically reduces the energy consumption of automated vehicles – a key to realizing level 4 and level 5 autonomy. Particularly impressive: neuromorphic chips can reduce energy consumption by up to 90 percent compared to today’s systems.
Materials of the future: sustainability meets innovation
With a clear focus on sustainability, Mercedes-Benz is developing biotechnologically produced materials that replace fossil raw materials and animal products without taking work away from the tanners. A win-win situation for everyone, especially for animals and the environment.
- Vegan leather alternatives: A combination of recycled plastics and bio-based materials offers the look and feel of real leather – but is lighter, more sustainable and fully recyclable. This approach combines luxury with environmental protection and at the same time secures jobs in traditional leather processing. Can you tell the difference from the original? All participants were either wrong or didn’t dare to make a decision – that’s how good the alternative is!
- Biotechnological silk: Based on the DNA of a silkworm, bacteria produce silk proteins that are processed into a shiny yarn. This synthetic silk is biodegradable, high-strength and is already being used in prototypes such as the Vision EQXX.
- Sustainable textiles: In addition to leather alternatives, Mercedes-Benz is researching renewable raw materials for vehicle textiles. The aim is to replace petroleum-based materials with biotechnologically produced polymers that are just as robust and versatile as their conventional counterparts. These new materials could not only reduce the CO2 footprint, but also revolutionize the aesthetics and feel of vehicle interiors.
Was it the classic courage to change or the reawakened pioneering spirit, which has been revived time and again since the brand was founded 130 years ago, that led to these steps? When a journalist pointed out that the innovations would annoy some workshops because they would lose jobs as a result of the sustainable innovations, the Mercedes employee explained that climate change was at the forefront. One of my favorite sayings is: “If you are a master at one thing, you must become a student at another! With its courageous step into an (un)secure future, Mercedes Benz has recognized the meaning of technological life!
