The project itself is not all that new, as it was initiated in 2008. Still, whereas up until now it used wired or lower-bandwidth wireless connections like UMTS, Mercedes managed to complete the first 4G wireless high-speed LTE (Long Term Evolution) during the Nokia Siemens Networks Solutions Forum 2009.
The LTE used in the test was created to provide bandwidths in between 5 and 25 Mbps, in an environment where vehicles are moving at 40 km/h (25 mph). This is about eight times faster than in today's technologies and, needless to say, the advantages are huge: higher quality video and audio, faster loading maps, smoother features...
Also, Mercedes decided to add some new features to myCOMAND:
- off-board navigation – takes into account both maps and traffic information available on the Internet and displays satellite maps for better orientation.
- trip assist – information about weather, hotels, traffic and so on
- world radio – uses the Internet to connect to virtually every single radio station streaming online
- Internet telephony -VoIP allows for voice calls, texting and data calls.
- web browser – we all know what this is for
”In the areas of both information and entertainment, the entirely Internet-based solution affords decisive advantages over traditional systems found in today’s vehicles,” Johann Jungwirth, Mercedes-Benz Research and Advanced Engineering head said when announcing the achievement.
Unfortunately, there will be some time until myCOMAND becomes viable. At least this is what experts, other than Mercedes', say...
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