Google Glass Integrated By Mercedes Benz

As the number of companies which choose to invest in the development of the Glass keeps growing, we are happy to announce that Mercedes has also joined the movement by integrating the Google Glass into their navigation system. The infotainment system, as they call it, is now ready and waiting for the Glass to be commercially available.

So, Mercedes Benz, the luxury automobile maker has recently finished the car integrated infotainment system, based on the Glass, which is able to provide the driver with information about his chosen route. Of course, this might not be the first time you hear about the company’s plans because rumors about Mercedes Benz integrating the Glass in their cars have appeared since July. So, the main task of the Glass would be to provide navigation guidance both inside as outside the vehicle. Practically, the driver won’t have to look down to his smartphone or tablet to get navigation information because now he will be able to see it on the Glass display without removing his eyes from the road.

Johann Jungwirth, head of North American R&D headquarter of Mercedes, mentioned during an interview for Automotive News that this kind of system is the clearest example of staying connected to the information, via a seamless system, since the moment you get in the car, through the driving experience and after you leave the vehicle. For us, this is definitely a milestone in the development of future cars.

While talking about the infotainment system future characteristics and features, Jungwirth said something about various apps, which could work with the Glass, but refused to comment further or provide more information.

Since the Glass will be integrated in the system, the driver’s attention won’t be distracted by a big number of devices, as it happens in the present, not even when he needs information such as e-mail, navigation, GPS, traffic info and so on. This was another detail that Johann Jungwirth needed to highlight during his interview, when he specifically mentioned that the company doesn’t want users to use the Glass when they are driving a car.

However, the idea of integrating a device into a car or GPS system can be applied to any other car or GPS system and to tablets, smartphones or even smartwatches. And considering Google Glass’s high price, we believe that alternatives to Mercedes’ infotainment system will appear shortly, probably from different manufacturers.

For now, all we can do is wait for Google to release the Glass as a mass-product, and keep you posted with any new information that comes up regarding its evolution.