Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today
announced a first for U.S. drivers: the ability to send directions directly
from their computers to their vehicles. The new technology, called Search &
Send, which will be available September 5, has been developed in
partnership with Google, Yahoo! and DaimlerChrysler Research, Engineering
and Design North America (Palo Alto, CA). It is being phased into the
Mercedes-Benz model line starting with select vehicles equipped with Tele
Aid, the company's telematics and emergency response system.
The Search & Send feature allows drivers to plot destinations,
addresses and points of interest through the highly popular map sections of
the Google or Yahoo! Maps websites and then simply click on a newly
introduced "Send to Car" icon. The information is then sent directly to the
vehicle's GPS navigation unit. When the driver gets into the vehicle,
pushing the i-button of the Tele Aid system downloads the destination
directly to the vehicle's navigation system and prompts the driver as to
whether to start route guidance immediately or save the information for
later use.
"Given the increasing amount of time people spend in their vehicles,
we're always looking for ways to make that time more productive, efficient
and enjoyable," said Sascha Simon, manager of telematics for MBUSA. "The
advantage to Search & Send is that customers can surf the Internet from
their home computers -- or from any Internet-connected device such as a PDA
or cell phone -- pick out where they want to go, utilize Google or Yahoo!
Maps to get the directions and then send the information to their vehicle.
Then they get in the car and go, without having to input addresses into the
GPS system. They can also have friends or family pull down a destination
and send the information to them in the car. We think this will be an
extremely well- received progression in our telematics service. It's this
type of convenience that customers are looking for, delivered in an
intelligent and simple way."
The Search & Send feature debuts not only on high-end Mercedes-Benz
models -- the S-Class sedan and CL-Class coupe -- but also on the
much-anticipated new-generation C-Class model line which is currently
arriving at dealer showrooms across the country. Search & Send will be
phased in on additional Mercedes-Benz models during the coming year.
The Mercedes-Benz Tele Aid system, pioneered in 1998 and provided
through Texas-based ATX Group, provides information and location-specific
roadside assistance, stolen vehicle recovery and emergency assistance to
subscribing Mercedes-Benz owners at the touch of a button.
Mercedes-Benz USA
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA), headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey, is
responsible for the sales, marketing and service of all Mercedes-Benz
products in the United States. In 2006, MBUSA achieved an all-time sales
record of 248,080 new vehicles, setting the highest sales volume ever in
its history and achieving 13 consecutive years of sales growth.
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most
trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo!'s mission is to connect
people to their passions, their communities, and the world's knowledge.
Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
ATX
Based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, and Dusseldorf, Germany, ATX Group
is the world's largest provider of personalized telematics services for the
automobile industry, serving both North America and Europe. ATX telematics
services are designed to provide enhanced safety, security and driving
convenience to vehicle owners. These services include location-specific
emergency and roadside assistance, automatic collision notification, stolen
vehicle recovery, remote diagnostics and real-time traffic and navigation
assistance. ATX also customizes telematics services designed to help
automobile manufacturers and their affiliated dealerships to use telematics
data to reduce costs, enhance vehicle servicing, and more closely manage
customer relationships.
Source: Mercedes-Benz USA
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