Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA), a key innovation hub for Mercedes-Benz nestled in Silicon Valley, has announced groundbreaking research collaborations with two leading universities: Stanford University School of Engineering and the University of California San Diego’s Contextual Robotics Institute. This strategic initiative, backed by a six-month funding commitment, aims to propel advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and explore its transformative potential to revolutionize both the in-car passenger experience and the future of autonomous driving.
These collaborations mark a significant step forward for both universities, offering enriched research avenues, resources, and the invaluable opportunity to apply their findings in real-world automotive scenarios, guided by the expertise of MBRDNA engineers. Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America anticipates that these partnerships will spark groundbreaking innovations, further solidifying its position at the forefront of automotive technology.
Stanford University: Exploring AI for Enhanced Passenger Experience
Stanford University, a globally recognized epicenter of AI innovation since the inception of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL) in the 1950s, has been strategically chosen by Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America to spearhead advancements in AI-driven passenger experiences. Fifteen select Stanford students, participating in the rigorous Course Project-Based Design, Innovation, and Development program, will gain unparalleled access through immersive field trips to Mercedes-Benz’s global innovation nerve centers. These include MBRDNA’s Silicon Valley headquarters and Mercedes-Benz’s global headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany.
The core academic challenge presented to these bright minds revolves around the MBUX Virtual Assistant, unveiled at CES 2024. Mercedes-Benz is leveraging cutting-edge software and generative AI to forge a more intuitive and natural interaction between driver and vehicle. This advanced system proactively offers intelligent suggestions grounded in learned user behavior and contextual awareness. Divided into focused teams, the Stanford students are tasked with conceptualizing innovative projects that explore the vast potential of AI. Their explorations span from optimizing daily commute productivity and tackling the complexities of automated parking solutions to refining personalized in-car voice assistants powered by sophisticated large language models.
“Mercedes-Benz’s educational collaborations with Stanford and UCSD represent more than just financial investment; they embody our deep commitment to nurturing the next wave of technology leaders. We are eager to witness the groundbreaking discoveries and advancements that will emerge from these synergistic partnerships,” stated Philipp Skogstad, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, underscoring the strategic importance of these collaborations.
“We deeply appreciate MBRDNA’s support, which furnishes our students with invaluable experiential learning opportunities, particularly in the context of the transformative possibilities AI is unlocking within the automotive sector,” added Jay Borenstein, lecturer for Stanford’s Project-Based Design, Innovation and Development course, highlighting the practical benefits for the students involved.
UC San Diego: Advancing Autonomous Driving with 3D Imaging Research
Reinforcing its dedication to fostering strong ties with academic institutions, Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America is also expanding its research scope with the Contextual Robotics Institute at the University of California San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering. Under the guidance of Institute Director and UC San Diego Computer Science Professor Henrik I. Christensen, the research team at the Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory (AVL) is concentrating on enhancing perception and sensor fusion technologies crucial for automated driving. Their research is particularly focused on pioneering 3D scene reconstruction from camera images, an advancement that holds the potential to significantly bolster the safety features of future autonomous vehicle systems.
This ambitious project aims to build upon prior research from Professor Christensen’s lab and seamlessly integrate it with a real-time 4D Neural Radiance Fields (NERFs) model. The goal is to construct a comprehensive model capable of segmenting scenes into semantically meaningful regions, thereby enhancing the vehicle’s understanding of its surroundings.
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Mercedes Benz Research North America to broaden our research into dynamic scene models for autonomous driving,” commented Professor Hendrik I. Christensen. “This partnership presents a remarkable opportunity for us to expand our methodological approaches and cultivate a valuable new alliance.”
This collaboration builds on MBRDNA’s robust and ongoing engagement with the UC San Diego academic community. Beyond the newly established focus on autonomous driving research, MBRDNA’s Powertrain Organization maintains a strong collaborative relationship with the UC San Diego Sustainable Power and Energy Center, specifically targeting advancements in battery research to power the next generation of electric vehicles.
MBRDNA: A Hub of Innovation in Silicon Valley
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America holds a distinguished place in automotive history as the first research and development arm established by an automotive company in Silicon Valley. Since its inception, MBRDNA has cultivated fruitful research collaborations with numerous universities and leading researchers across the nation. These partnerships have not only resulted in joint publications but also created valuable recruitment pipelines for top talent. MBRDNA serves as a pivotal component of Mercedes-Benz’s global digital transformation strategy, driving groundbreaking technology partnerships and establishing a robust technological foundation to support the company’s journey towards becoming the most desirable tech luxury brand in the automotive industry.
About MBRDNA
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), a U.S.-based subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, is at the forefront of developing advanced automotive technologies. Its diverse research portfolio encompasses autonomous driving systems, electric vehicle technologies, connected car solutions, and cutting-edge software development. MBRDNA employs over 600 highly skilled developers, technicians, engineers, and designers who work in close synergy with Mercedes-Benz R&D facilities worldwide, contributing to global innovation.
For deeper insights into current projects and events at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc., please visit their LinkedIn channel: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mbrdna/. Explore career opportunities at https://jobs.lever.co/MBRDNA.
Contacts
Yifei Wu, phone:+1 669 4546758, [email protected]
