Mercedes has unveiled an advanced control interface in its self-driving car model, Vision AVTR, allowing passengers to control various functions using their thoughts. The screen works in conjunction with a headset called BCI, which uses artificial intelligence technology to recognize the car's occupants and present options for functions they have previously liked and used, such as favorite radio stations, answering calls, and directing the vehicle to predetermined routes.
In addition to these functions, the driver can think about where to park the vehicle and the amount of light entering through the windows, all through telepathy between the device and the smart screen. Mercedes stated in a press release that the device analyzes brain waves and recognizes the driver's focus on the options they want to use. The stronger the driver's focus, the more active the neurons, making it easier for the device to determine the desired functions.
According to the British newspaper "Daily Mail," this screen was first showcased at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, but visitors to the IAA Mobility car show in Munich this week can experience the new technology. Brita Sieger, the head of sales at Mercedes, explained that the device operates independent of speech and touch, noting it is a step towards creating more interaction between the driver and the car. Meanwhile, Markus Schaefer, the Chief Operating Officer at Mercedes, stated that all these elements aim to "radically simplify driving." He added that the control panel and headset will provide more comfort for the driver and passengers, granting them a unique mobility experience.
Notably, the future electric self-driving Mercedes car, equipped with a 469-horsepower engine, can travel about 700 kilometers before the driver needs to recharge it.