Mercedes-Benz: Vision of the future

Not content with creating one of the first practical automobiles in 1886 and remaining at – or close to – the forefront of automotive innovation ever since, Mercedes-Benz has outlined a vision of the future encompassing sustainability, improved safety, elevated quality of life and hyper-personalised digital experiences.

As the global automotive industry becomes ever more competitive and fragmented, Mercedes took inspiration from its Vision EQXX – the company’s most efficient prototype electric vehicle, achieving over 1000km on a single charge – as a demonstration of the company’s potential in the electric and digital age as well as its proactive response to the industry’s rapid transformation towards sustainable and electric mobility.

Fuelled by substantial investment in research and development aimed at securing long-term growth and profitability for Mercedes-Benz, the plan is to optimise future vehicles to meet evolving consumer needs and market demands.

As Mercedes chief technology officer Markus Schäfer put it: “For us, innovation only makes sense if it offers our customers real added value. That’s why we believe progress means developing innovative technologies in dialogue with society.”

Cities beyond 2040

To bring this vision to life, Mercedes, in conjunction with urban planning experts, technological innovators, and local stakeholders, has developed compelling future models for three vastly different cities – London, Los Angeles and Shenzhen – showcasing smart city initiatives to diverse urban challenges.

In London, the focus is on a multimodal transportation strategy that moves parking outside the city centre, promoting robotaxis, cycling, and public transit instead of private vehicles. 

Los Angeles prioritises autonomous vehicle lanes to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and enhance wellbeing through expanded green spaces.

A tech-driven approach for Shenzhen uses 5G wireless networks and artificial intelligence for traffic management while integrating technologies like self-charging solar modules for electric vehicles and drone delivery systems.

This approach is designed to position Mercedes for future partnerships and business opportunities within the rapidly expanding smart city sector, strengthening its brand while appealing to environmentally conscious consumers.

Solar paint

If the future cities vision seems too far-fetched, innovations like solar paint could dramatically extend EV range and redefine charging early next decade – if not sooner.

Unlike traditional solar panels, this paint is just five micrometres thick – less than a tenth of a human hair’s diameter – and weighs only 50 grams per square metre, yet it boasts 20 per cent efficiency. Applied like paste, this ultra-thin layer can cover an entire vehicle, generating substantial power.

The journey towards this innovation began with the 2022 Vision EQXX concept car, which had 1.8m² of solar application on the roof and bonnet to demonstrate the technology’s potential.

This led engineers to the next logical step: coating an entire vehicle – such as a mid-sized SUV with approximately 11m²  of surface area – with the solar paint, potentially generating enough electricity for up to 12,000km of annual range. 

This energy would seamlessly supplement the vehicle’s battery, continuously charging even when the car is switched off.

Mercedes estimates, based on the climate of its home city of Stuttgart in Germany, that the paint could provide enough energy for approximately 62 per cent of the average daily commute (52km), whereas in Los Angeles, with its abundant sunshine, it could generate enough energy to cover 100 per cent of the average daily driving distance, with excess energy even available for bidirectional home charging.

Beyond range extension, this eco-friendly solar paint uses only non-toxic, readily available materials, eliminating the need for rare earths and silicon. Its ease of recycling and lower production costs compared to conventional solar modules further enhance its appeal, and while still 5-10 years from market availability, this technology could hold the potential to eliminate range anxiety and accelerate global EV adoption.

Motor-integrated brakes

Mercedes is exploring a new direction in the development of braking systems for electric vehicles (EVs).

Unlike traditional mechanical brakes, which are typically positioned inside the wheel, the company’s innovative design integrates the braking system directly into the electric drive unit at either the front or rear axle.

This new braking system offers several key advantages, including minimal space usage, minimal wear, rust resistance and virtually maintenance-free operation, all of which promise to improve durability and reliability.

The design also prevents particulate emissions, a common byproduct of traditional braking methods, making it a cleaner option for the environment while potentially reducing braking noise and the need for brake cleaning.

One of the key benefits of this new braking system is its ability to maintain a stable braking effect even under heavy loads, ensuring consistent performance.

It also reduces unsprung mass, potentially improving ride and handling while improving aerodynamics by eliminating the need for brake cooling openings in wheels and bodywork.

Initially, Mercedes engineers considered replacing physical brakes entirely with regenerative braking, which can handle around 95 per cent of driving situations by recovering energy while slowing the vehicle and reducing wear on traditional braking components.

However, the remaining five per cent of driving scenarios – such as emergency stops or high-speed braking – would require a much larger motor than those currently used to ensure safe stopping.

Regenerative braking is also reduced when an EV battery is full or close to full as there is no pathway for the recovered energy without additional storage or dissipation measures.

Biotechnology materials

Another focus of Mercedes-Benz is on secondary and renewable materials. The company is investing heavily in research to uncover nature-friendly solutions, particularly biotechnology-based materials that could replace those made from crude oil and animals. 

These initiatives aim to cut CO₂ emissions, increase the use of recycled materials, and promote a circular economy.

One of these developments is a silk-like yarn created through biotechnology, produced by genetically modified bacteria to mimic the properties of natural silk while being biodegradable, lightweight, and strong.

Processed using a wet spinning method, similar to cellulose production, it results in a high-performance material that has already been featured in the Vision EQXX and Concept CLA Class, appearing in grab loops and door pockets.

Another promising material in development is a realistic leather alternative created by blending recycled plastic fibres (extracted through chemical recycling using pyrolysis oil from used tyres and certified biomethane from agricultural waste) with proteins and bio-based polymers. 

The result is a material that mimics the feel, breathability, and water resistance of real leather, while being lighter and boasting a significantly lower CO₂ footprint.

Before these materials can be mass-produced, they must meet Mercedes’ strict quality standards, demonstrating their durability under extreme conditions such as temperature fluctuations of up to 200 degrees, without discolouring, becoming unstable, or emitting unwanted odours, all while maintaining the luxury standards the brand is known for.

Programmable micro-converters

Mercedes is also developing power converter technology that could transform EV battery systems.

The programmable micro-converters, integrated at the battery level, enable individual control of battery-cell pairs and communication between cells.

Research shows that this system can maintain a steady output of 800 volts, regardless of the state of charge (SoC) or health (SoH) of individual cells. As a result, the total output voltage is no longer determined by the number of cells in series.

Instead, it can be adjusted based on the vehicle’s performance needs. This not only improves the driving range of EVs but also optimises energy flow, particularly during bidirectional charging, such as when using the car’s battery to power a home.

Beyond performance, the micro-converters can be easily reprogrammed for future updates and enable more power functions to be integrated directly into the battery.

This saves space, reduces the number of components, and opens up more freedom in vehicle design, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in electric mobility.

Hyper-personalised driving

Cutting-edge technologies are able to create more intuitive, seamless interactions between drivers and their vehicles. Central to this vision is the integration of digital advancements like the MBUX Virtual Assistant, augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and neuromorphic computing.

The MBUX Virtual Assistant

Unveiled at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the MBUX Virtual Assistant, powered by generative AI, marks a significant step forward in how drivers interact with their cars.

The system enables a more comprehensive digital experience that extends beyond the vehicle itself, aiming to better understand and adapt to the individual preferences and routines of drivers. 

For example, as the driver begins their day, the car can autonomously exit the garage, pre-set with the ideal temperature, radio station and seat position

The MBUX Virtual Assistant will then suggest the best route to the office, bypassing the drive-through coffee shop since it knows the driver has already had coffee at home.

Beyond personalising the driving experience, the system can then switch to autonomous mode, allowing the car to take over and even suggest activities based on the driver’s preferences, such as resuming an unfinished task or adjusting the seat for added comfort. 

Augmented reality

Mercedes is also exploring the use of augmented reality (AR) glasses to enhance the driving experience further. 

These glasses would display real-time navigation, with virtual signposts appearing directly on the road to provide drivers with precise and intuitive directions.

In addition, they would seamlessly integrate personal content with Mercedes-specific features, creating a fully connected and immersive experience that goes beyond traditional infotainment.

This technology aims to improve both entertainment and wellness during the drive while minimising distractions to enhance safety and ease of use.

Mixed reality 

In addition to AR, Mercedes is delving into mixed reality (MR) to transform how customers engage with their vehicles. MR technology can be used to create immersive, interactive experiences that help customers visualise and personalise their car.

For instance, when configuring a new vehicle, customers could use MR glasses to see a 3D model of the car in real time. They could then customise the car’s features, from the colour of the interior upholstery to the type of wheels, with the MR system providing realistic visualisations. 

Additionally, MR could help service technicians diagnose issues in the vehicle by overlaying critical data or repair instructions directly onto the car, allowing for more precise and efficient repairs.

Neuromorphic computing

Mercedes, in collaboration with the Canadian University of Waterloo, is developing neuromorphic computing to improve the energy efficiency and processing speed of autonomous driving systems.

By mimicking the brain’s neural networks, this cutting-edge technology enables faster AI processing, enabling safety systems to react quicker to real-time data. 

For example, a neuromorphic system could enable a vehicle to recognise pedestrians or cyclists in low-visibility conditions, such as at night or in fog, and respond instantly to avoid an accident.

It could also enhance the performance of driver-assistance systems like lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control by processing sensory data more rapidly and accurately. Neuromorphic computing also reduces energy consumption by up to 90 per cent compared to current systems, making the future of autonomous driving not only safer but also more efficient.