Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA), the Silicon Valley-based research and development arm of Mercedes-Benz, is forging ahead in its commitment to innovation by establishing new research partnerships with Stanford University and the University of California San Diego (UC San Diego). This strategic initiative, backed by a six-month funding commitment, is focused on pushing the boundaries of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize both in-car passenger experiences and advance autonomous driving technology.
These collaborations promise mutual benefits, offering both universities enhanced research opportunities and resources, alongside the chance to see their work applied in real-world automotive scenarios through MBRDNA’s engineering expertise. Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc. anticipates that these partnerships will yield groundbreaking innovations, further solidifying its position at the forefront of automotive technology.
Stanford University: Nurturing the Next Generation of AI in Automotive
Stanford University, a historical epicenter of AI development since the inception of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Lab (SAIL), has been selected by Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. to spearhead advancements in AI-driven passenger experiences. Fifteen Stanford students, participating in the Course Project-Based Design, Innovation and Development, will gain unparalleled access to the innovation ecosystems of Mercedes-Benz. This includes immersive field trips to MBRDNA’s Silicon Valley headquarters and Mercedes-Benz’s global hub in Stuttgart, Germany, offering a global perspective on automotive innovation.
The core challenge presented to these students revolves around the MBUX Virtual Assistant, unveiled at CES 2024. Mercedes-Benz envisions leveraging advanced software and generative AI to cultivate a more intuitive and natural interaction between vehicle and driver. This includes proactive suggestions based on learned behaviors and contextual awareness. Divided into focused teams, the Stanford cohort will explore diverse project concepts, ranging from optimizing daily commute productivity to tackling complex parking scenarios, and refining personalized in-car voice assistants powered by sophisticated large language models. This collaboration underscores the commitment of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc. to practical AI applications.
“Mercedes-Benz’s educational collaborations with Stanford and UCSD represent more than just financial investment; they highlight our deep commitment to developing future tech leaders. We eagerly anticipate the innovative discoveries and advancements that will emerge from these synergistic partnerships,” stated Philipp Skogstad, President and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America.
Jay Borenstein, lecturer for Stanford’s Project-Based Design, Innovation and Development course, acknowledged the significance of this collaboration: “We are thankful for MBRDNA’s support, which provides our students with invaluable experiential learning opportunities, especially concerning the vast potential of AI within the automotive industry.”
UC San Diego: Pioneering 3D Imaging for Enhanced Autonomous Driving
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc.’s dedication to academic collaboration extends to an expanded 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 Autonomous Vehicle Laboratory (AVL) research team is concentrating on perception and sensor fusion for autonomous vehicles. Their primary focus is 3D scene reconstruction using camera images, a critical component for enhancing the safety systems of future autonomous vehicles. This project aims to build upon Professor Christensen’s prior research, integrating it with a real-time 4D Neural Radiance Fields (NERFs) model to create a semantically segmented model. This detailed scene understanding is crucial for the advancement of autonomous driving capabilities at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc..
“We are thrilled to collaborate with Mercedes Benz Research North America to further our work on dynamic scene models for autonomous driving,” commented Professor Hendrik I. Christensen. “This partnership provides a fantastic opportunity to broaden our approach and establish a valuable new alliance.”
This collaboration builds on the already strong ties between MBRDNA and the UC San Diego academic community. Beyond autonomous driving research, MBRDNA’s Powertrain Organization is also engaged with the UC San Diego Sustainable Power and Energy Center, focusing on advancements in battery technology. This multifaceted engagement highlights the breadth of research interests at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc..
MBRDNA: A Legacy of Innovation in Silicon Valley
Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc. holds the distinction of being the first automotive research and development center established in Silicon Valley. Since its inception, MBRDNA has cultivated research collaborations with numerous universities and leading researchers nationwide, fostering joint publications and providing valuable recruitment opportunities. MBRDNA is a cornerstone of Mercedes-Benz’s global digital transformation strategy, facilitating groundbreaking technology partnerships and building a robust technological foundation to support the company’s vision of becoming the most desirable tech-luxury brand. The ongoing university collaborations are a testament to the enduring commitment of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc. to innovation.
About MBRDNA
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA), a U.S.-based subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz, is dedicated to pioneering advanced technologies across various domains, including autonomous driving, electric vehicles, connected car solutions, and software development. MBRDNA employs a diverse team of over 600 developers, technicians, engineers, and designers who work in close synergy with Mercedes-Benz R&D facilities worldwide. To explore current projects and events at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America, Inc., visit their LinkedIn channel. Information on career opportunities can be found on their careers page.
Contacts
Yifei Wu, phone:+1 669 4546758, [email protected]
