Cisco thinks it's found the next working hybrid trend and is teaming up with Mercedes-Benz to start offering it, but spoiler alert: you're not the first to think about this.
The two companies joined forces at MWC XNUMX to bring their Webex video conferencing platform to midsize Mercedes E-Class sedans.
In a press release, Cisco notes that it explains how hybrid workers "expect an unusual experience, regardless of how and where they work, and the vehicle is no exception."
Cisco Webex on Mercedes Class E
The company added that it wanted its business users to be able to "book appointments between visiting a service customer and picking up the little ones after school," opening up a new kind of time optimization that flex workers could only dream of up until now. lately.
Workers whose businesses use Webex will be able to engage in "frictionless" calls and meetings on the go, benefiting from the platform's noise cancellation technology that will be leveraged to reduce unwanted road and traffic noise. passengers.
Two levels will be unlocked depending on the driver's alarm status. When the vehicle is parked, they will have access to video meetings, AI-powered automatic transcription, content sharing and reactions, just as if they were sitting in the meeting room or at their desk. Even when they are on the road, workers will be able to participate in voice calls.
The feature is part of a larger update to the Mercedes E-Class that was teased in early February, including the adoption of 5G connectivity. According to Mercedes, European service customers will receive their new E-Class models in the summer, and US service customers are expected to receive their models in the fall.
Other apps currently announced for the infotainment system's built-in app store include TikTok, Angry Birds, Zoom and the Vivaldi browser.
As automakers often introduce new features to their high-end vehicles, possibly at some point in the future, vehicles like the C-Class will also get Webex integration. The C-Class continues to be a popular vehicle with company car drivers and is significantly more economical than the E-Class.
Beyond Mercedes, Zoom and Tesla have announced a pre-Christmas partnership that would see their electric cars get video conferencing capabilities.