MBUX leverages the Nuance Dragon Drive platform to provide a voice-based interface for the cars’ controls.

For instance,  if a driver asks, “can I wear flip flops tomorrow?” the MBUX assistant understands that the request calls for the weather forecast and can respond naturally with “yes, it will be warm tomorrow.” If a driver says, “it’s too hot in here,” the assistant knows to reduce the in-car temperature. It utilizes natural and varied outputs rather than stereotypical, scripted answers

MBUX assistant recalls what a driver has said previously and can understand references to things that were said in the past.  For example, a user might say “send a message to John,” then follow up with “send it also to Maria,” or ask “what’s the weather like in London?” then follow up with “how about in Manchester?” The assistant has the intelligence to follow the conversation and respond to such requests

 The system is wired to accept flexible, over-the-air updates via the cloud, even for functions designed and embedded directly into the vehicle. As the software model is continuously enriched with new words or changing use of language over time, new domains (for example seasonal sports events), virtual assistants and services can be added to broaden the spectrum of information available to the driver at any time and ensure the vehicle can always include state-of-the-art capabilities.

MBUX assistant  is integrated with the car, enabling voice-powered control of in-car functions like climate and music and features like in-seat temperature and massage.

The MBUX assistant will first be introduced in the new 2018 A-Class, which is available for order now and began shipping in May 2018.