Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am Unveil Revolutionary MBUX SOUND DRIVE at CES 2024

Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am have launched the MBUX SOUND DRIVE, an unprecedented technology that intertwines driving dynamics with music, creating an immersive and interactive musical experience for the driver. Revealed at CES 2024, this cutting-edge system turns the car into a virtual musical instrument, allowing drivers to compose melodies in real-time based on their driving actions.

The MBUX SOUND DRIVE employs a sophisticated array of sensors and advanced software to interpret various driving dynamics, including recuperation, acceleration, steering, and braking. These parameters are then seamlessly transformed into musical expressions, offering a unique and personalized soundtrack to the driving experience.

Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer, expressed the company's commitment to bringing joy to customers through innovative features, stating, "With MBUX SOUND DRIVE, AMG drivers are in control of the way their music sounds. It makes in-car entertainment much more immersive."

Creative artist, innovator, and entrepreneur, will.i.am, shared his enthusiasm for the project, envisioning a world where cars become instruments, "MBUX SOUND DRIVE enhances driving and sound technology, letting motorists reshape music just by driving."

This collaboration represents an evolution of the longstanding partnership between Mercedes-AMG and will.i.am. As the project evolved, will.i.am brought his expertise as a record producer to create an interactive music experience that connects car hardware with music software through precise 'in-car signals.'

The technology is not limited to musical creativity alone; it can sync with other in-car signals, such as windscreen rain sensors, which provide soothing rhythms during inclement weather, reducing stress and enhancing concentration.

Looking beyond the individual driving experience, Mercedes-AMG aims to turn MBUX SOUND DRIVE into an open music platform. This ambitious goal would allow artists worldwide to create tracks in an immersive audio format using MBUX SOUND DRIVE studio software.

The rollout of MBUX SOUND DRIVE is set to begin in mid-2024 and will be available on Mercedes-AMG and Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with the second-generation MBUX system. Existing Mercedes customers can access the MBUX Software Update via an over-the-air (OTA) update using the Update Wizard on their MBUX display or the Mercedes me app, ensuring that this groundbreaking technology is accessible to a broad range of drivers.