Mercedes Admits Mistake: Reintroducing Buttons in Future Models
In the ever-evolving world of automotive technology, Mercedes-Benz is leading the charge with its latest offerings - the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA and the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC, which mark the automaker's first truly software-defined vehicles.
According to Christian Östberg, Head of Digital Vehicle and Mobility at Mercedes-Benz, AI is set to revolutionise how people interact with technology and apps, including cars. Östberg believes that AI will completely change how people interact with machines, including cars, and that voice-based interaction will play a significant role in this transformation. He notes that the automobile is an ideal platform for voice-based interaction due to its quiet and private nature.
However, the company is not blindly embracing innovation. Executives emphasise the importance of avoiding innovative changes for the sake of innovation alone. Instead, Mercedes-Benz is focusing on creating a harmonious blend of hard controls, head-up displays, big screens, and speech recognition.
Data from internal studies shows the need to bring back more physical controls in the new vehicles. Mercedes-Benz has decided to reintroduce physical buttons and switches to enhance comfort and safety. Customers highly value haptic feedback, and physical controls for frequently used functions like climate, volume, and lighting help drivers keep their eyes on the road and reduce distraction.
The reliance on voice command is expected to be a major shift in the future, with the use of voice commands having tripled, according to Östberg. AI language models can understand much better, as stated by Östberg, and will pick the best system and necessary app to execute based on voice commands.
Mercedes currently offers voice command functionality in approximately three dozen languages. The next-generation GLC will launch with a new steering wheel that brings back rollers, following the success of roller controls over haptic ones for basic functions, as expressed by customers.
The 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA and the 2027 Mercedes-Benz GLC also feature the fourth-generation MBUX infotainment system and its attendant touchscreens. The car's user interface will change to be more dynamic, according to Östberg. Touch controls remain important, especially for the Chinese market. Voice agents or assistants can provide a better overall customer experience, says Schäfer.
The company's commitment to safety is also evident in their decision to balance digital touchscreens with physical buttons in new models like the CLA and GLC. From 2026, the European safety organization Euro NCAP will include human-machine interface design in safety ratings, favouring models with tactile controls over fully digital ones. This move prompts Mercedes to ensure a balance between digital and physical controls in their new models.
In conclusion, Mercedes-Benz is leading the way in the integration of AI and physical controls in the automotive industry. By focusing on a harmonious blend of technology and traditional controls, they are creating vehicles that are safe, user-friendly, and tailored to the needs of their customers.
Read also:
- Elon Musk Acquires 26,400 Megawatt Gas Turbines for Powering His AI Project, Overlooks Necessary Permits for Operation!
- U Power's strategic collaborator UNEX EV has inked a Letter of Intent with Didi Mobility to deploy UOTTA(TM) battery-swapping electric vehicles in Mexico.
- Commercial-grade hydrogen enhancement systems manufacturing initiated by H2i Technology
- Toyota strikes a deal in Shanghai for a solely owned Lexus electric vehicle production plant.
