Mercedes-Benz has integrated its in-car voice assistant system with the home-based Samsung-owned SmartThings platform to enable drivers and passengers to interact with connected devices in their homes. It is the first native in-car system to be linked with smart home functions, claim the pair.
The idea is drivers and passengers can use their vehicles as a control centre for the home, to switch lights and heating and other connected home systems on and off, for example. They will be able to control locks, electric outlets, garage door openers, sensors, and home security systems from their vehicles.
The system works with the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class, available from 2021; presumably other models will follow. California-based software firm SmartThings offers a platform to connect with sundry smart home devices. “‘Hey Mercedes’ is about to get a whole lot smarter as it joins the world’s largest IoT ecosystem,” the company said.
It accentuated the safety of a voice-controlled system, using Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX assistant, to “allow drivers to focus on the road… and know that everything is alright at home”. It said: “Car-to-home experiences represent yet another step in creating a universal smart home standard while simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers.”
Ralf Elias, global vice president for IoT and business development at SmartThings, said: “SmartThings is focused on accelerating the creation of an open IoT ecosystem powered by its technology and is continuously innovating to connect all smart devices with one another. Powering car-to-home and home-to-car capabilities is the next logical step in that journey, and we’re thrilled to bring SmartThings to an important environment where people spend a lot of their time – their Mercedes-Benz.”
SmartThings claims to be deployed in 10 million homes, and support 120 different brands and 62 million active users.
