Mercedes-Benz shares details of new OS, doubles down on Luminar’s lidar technology
Mercedes-Benz announced multiple newsworthy innovations during its Operating System Strategy Update in Sunnyvale, California earlier today. The German automaker announced it is building its own proprietary operating system called MB.OS which will offer features like navigation and maps from Google. Additionally, Mercedes announced it is expanding upon a previous partnership with lidar specialist Luminar in a new multi-billion dollar deal to integrate the tech by mid-decade.
First things first. Earlier today, Mercedes-Benz announced plans to develop its own operating system that will debut on its new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) platform. By developing MB.OS in-house (a’hem, with partners), the German automaker says it can retain full control over the relationship with its customers while protecting their privacy.
The design itself is a purpose-built chip-to-cloud architecture that operates major EV domains holistically from infotainment, to charging, and even autonomous driving (more on that in a bit).
The automaker also said MB.OS decouples hardware from software, expediting updates and future innovations. It was designed to also connect all the major aspects of the company’s value chain, including development, production, omni-channel commerce, and service. Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius spoke:
At Mercedes-Benz, we are dedicated to building the world’s most desirable cars. Accordingly, we made the decision to be the architects of our own operating system – a unique chip-to-cloud architecture that leverages its full access to our vehicles’ hardware and software components. By combining this in-house expertise with a selection of world-class partners, we will create an outstanding customer experience, from driving assistance, navigation and entertainment, all the way to integrated charging. MB.OS will feature full upgradeability and constant improvements.
The new operating system was created to become standardized across Mercedes’ entire portfolio of vehicles, EVs included of course, by mid-decade when the MMA platform arrives. Another partner in the development of new Mercedes operating system in addition to Google, is NVIDIA.
The software and AI specialist is providing its Orin system-on-chip to enhance benchmark SAE Level 2 and Level 3 automated driving systems, which can further be supported by lidar technology implemented on Mercedes vehicles developed by Luminar Technologies ($LAZR).
Mercedes locks in “multi-billion dollar deal” for lidar tech
According to Luminar Technologies Inc., Mercedes-Benz has significantly increased its investment in a previous partnership between to two companies to incorporate the former’s Iris lidar technology into its next generation of vehicles, again by mid-decade.
The companies have been in close collaboration for over a year following their initial partnership, but Luminar’s Iris lidar only entered series production in October 2022. We have followed its progress as it is currently available as an add-on for Polestar 3 SUV pre-orders, and is an integral component in Volvo’s upcoming EX90, which the automaker is hailing as the “safest vehicle it’s ever built.”
In terms of its work with Mercedes, Luminar says its lidar program has successfully completed its initial phase and associated milestones. Mercedes intends to use Luminar’s next generation of Iris lidar technology to help safely navigate the automated driving systems MB.OS will deliver. This includes higher speeds on freeways and enhanced driver assistance in urban areas.
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes Benz Group AG and Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement, spoke to the expanded partnership with Luminar to implement its lidar technology:
In a first step we have introduced a Level 3 system in our top line models. Next, we want to implement advanced automated driving features in a broader scale within our portfolio. I am convinced that Luminar is a great partner to help realize our vision and roadmap for automated and accident-free driving.
Luminar states it will unveil the next-generation version of its Iris lidar system during its Q4 and full-year report next Tuesday.
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Leading electric vehicle analyst, author, and industry thought leaders Loren McDonald and Bill Ferro stop by Quick Charge to discuss EV Adoption’s acquisition by Paren, the “crisis” of EV charging reliability, and the real state of the EV market.
Depending on who you listen, EVs are either driving brands to record growth and are about cross that critical 10% of the overall market nationwide, or the future is bleak, the market is down, and EVs just aren’t selling. What’s really going on? Loren and Bill (probably) have some answers.
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Read more: All my favorite EVs, racecars, and robots from Electrify Expo Austin.
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Chevy EV owners in Texas who have Reliant as their electric utility can now charge for free at night with renewable energy.
Over 150 Chevrolet dealerships across Texas are now offering the Reliant Free Charge Nights plan to new EV buyers. With Free Charge Nights, customers can offset their charging costs by receiving credits for electricity used between 11 pm and 6 am. The plan is powered entirely by renewable energy, thanks to the purchase of renewable energy certificates (RECs).
Rasesh Patel, president of NRG Consumer, says the plan is about making power personal: “We’re excited to help Chevrolet EV drivers offset the cost of charging their vehicle all while having access to a renewable electricity plan.”
This collaboration aims to make EV adoption more appealing by making charging cheaper and greener. GM Energy’s chief revenue officer, Aseem Kapur, emphasized that partnerships like this help build the ecosystem needed to support an all-electric future: “The Reliant Free Charge Nights plan is a great example of how an automaker and an energy company can work together to make EV adoption an easy decision.”
Existing Reliant customers can also sign up for the Free Charge Nights plan. To get started, Chevrolet EV owners need to designate their vehicle on the GM Energy Smart Charging Portal before enrolling in the plan.
Reliant Energy, a subsidiary of NRG Energy, serves over 1.5 million customers in Texas, making it one of the largest electricity providers in the state.
Read more: Texas to get 1 GW AI-powered virtual power plant, enough to power 200,000 homes
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Texas is about to get a major power boost – a new AI-powered virtual power plant (VPP) delivering capacity equivalent to 200,000 homes during peak demand.
NRG Energy is teaming up with Renew Home to bring nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of capacity to the Texas grid by 2035, aiming to make it more resilient while helping residents save on energy costs.
The new VPP will rely on hundreds of thousands of smart thermostats and other connected home devices, making use of AI technology provided by Google Cloud. These devices, like Vivint and Nest smart thermostats, will be offered to eligible customers at no cost. By automating HVAC adjustments, they help shift energy use to when electricity is cheaper, cleaner, and less strained.
NRG and Renew Home have big plans for the VPP. Starting in spring 2025, the companies plan to roll out the program across Texas, installing these smart thermostats in homes served by NRG’s retail electricity providers. Eventually, they plan to add home battery storage and EVs to expand the power plant’s capabilities.
Texas has faced record-breaking energy demands, with peak usage hitting 85 GW in 2023. As the state’s population grows and extreme weather becomes more frequent, VPPs like this one could play a key role in stabilizing the grid. VPPs aggregate a lot of small-scale energy resources, from smart thermostats to home batteries, and use them to help balance supply and demand during times of high stress on the grid.
This nearly 1 GW VPP will be one of the largest of its kind in Texas. NRG’s president of consumer operations, Rasesh Patel, calls it a “pivotal step” for improving customer experience while making Texas’ energy infrastructure more sustainable and resilient.
In addition to Renew Home, NRG is working with Google Cloud to maximize the power plant’s effectiveness. Google Cloud’s AI and analytics tools will help predict weather conditions, forecast renewable generation, and optimize energy usage, all of which will help make energy management smoother for both customers and the grid.
Ben Brown, CEO of Renew Home, said:
NRG’s commitment to creating a more resilient and sustainable energy future while also making electricity bills more affordable makes them an ideal partner for co-developing this unique VPP program.
This initiative raises the bar for future-proofing our electricity infrastructure and delivering cost savings to customers.
Read: Chinese solar giant Trina sells its Texas factory a week after it opens
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