Mercedes-Benz & Hughes Develop mbrace iPhone/Blackberry App "mbrace" Telematics System Controls Your Benz, Makes You Look Cool

Mercedes Benz owners that dream of an iPhone/BlackBerry application to
control some of the stuff that have cost them dearly, should be
delighted to hear that the German car maker has partnered with Hughes
Telematics and have announced a new telematics system dubbed mbrace,
that brings unprecedented connectivity and customization options for
drivers who're looking to change the in-vehicle experiences to fit
their daily needs.
The new mbrace system gives users access to connect with their
vehicles via an iPhone or BlackBerry smartphone, allowing them to remote
lock or unlock the car or locate it in a crowded parking lot (or if you
just forgot which blocked you parked at). Meant as the next generation
of connected services for Benz customers, mbrace also cares about the
safety of your precious.
But better check out the press release below for all the facts it does.
Mercedes-Benz USA and Hughes Telematics Launch New Telematics Service:
mbrace(TM)
New in-vehicle technology lays the foundation for unprecedented
connectivity and customization options for drivers, improving safety,
security and productivity
Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) and Hughes Telematics, Inc. (HTI) today
launched mbrace(TM), a new telematics offering that brings an
unprecedented level of connectivity to Mercedes-Benz drivers and begins
the process of allowing them to customize their in-vehicle experiences
to fit their daily needs. Powered by HTI, mbrace is now available on all
new Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold through authorized dealers in the United
States, and mbrace replaces Tele Aid, which was the previous telematics
system that MBUSA has offered for the past 10 years, for such vehicles.
In addition, most current Mercedes-Benz owners with the Tele Aid system
will be eligible to upgrade to the new mbrace system.
When we first launched our Telematics platform it contained features
many vehicles still lack today, and now we want to take our offering to
the next level, said Sascha Simon, director of advanced product
planning, MBUSA. With mbrace, we begin the introduction of a whole new
generation of innovative and personalized services that fit our drivers'
mobile lifestyles, keeping them connected to the people, places and
services that are important to them and offering them enhanced safety,
security and navigation options. Most importantly, the flexibility of
Hughes Telematics' architecture will also allow us to continually add
new features and innovations that will keep Mercedes-Benz on the
forefront of in-vehicle services.
Specifically, mbrace personifies connected services by marking the
first time drivers can connect with their vehicles via an iPhone(TM) or
BlackBerry(TM), allowing them to do such things as remotely lock or
unlock their vehicles or locate their vehicles in crowded parking lots
or on city streets through a map representation on their smart phones.
The flexibility of combining HTI's platform with today's leading
smartphone offerings allows for a continual stream of in-vehicle
innovation throughout the life of a vehicle's ownership.
Hughes Telematics is excited to be working with Mercedes-Benz as we
introduce the next generation of connected services to customers, said
Erik Goldman, president, HTI. This platform upon which mbrace is built
is designed with the most flexibility in the industry allowing
Mercedes-Benz to continuously innovate with new services and features.
The mbrace system offers 18 features (five of which are part of a
premium package) aggregated in the categories of safety security,
navigation destination planning and convenience. The services can be
accessed quickly and easily from within the vehicle or from any computer
through a personalized web portal.
The standard mbrace safety and security features include: Automatic
Collision Notification; SOS/Emergency Calling; Safe Ride; Roadside
Assistance Connection (in-vehicle and mobile application); Stolen
Vehicle Location Assistance; Automatic Alarm Notification; Vehicle
Information and Crisis Assist. Navigation services include a Search
Send feature. Standard convenience features include: Remote Door Unlock
and Lock (remote application), Vehicle Finder (via mobile application),
and Dealer Connect (mobile application). A premium service —
mbrace PLUS — adds such features as Location-Based Weather,
Location-Based Traffic, agent-assisted Route Assistance,
Point-of-Interest Destination Download (through agent), and
Mercedes-Benz Concierge, which functions much as a hotel concierge
making restaurant reservations, locating stores and services, cash wire
assistance, etc.