The new app is called “Mbrace”. The two companies have partnered to develop a smart phone application that connects the owner to his or her vehicle in a variety of interesting ways. mbrace offers 18 different features that are controlled or received by a smart phone. This includes a vehicle finder; alarm notification; vehicle information, which answers questions about the car; location-based weather reports; collision notification, which calls for help after an accident; traffic notification, which alerts the user to traffic jams and suggests an alternative route; and stolen vehicle location.
Buyers of a new Mercedes will be given Mbrace for six months for no charge. There after the subscription is $280 a year.
MONTVALE, NJ, Nov., 2009 – Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) and Hughes Telematics, Inc. (HTI) today launched mbrace™, a new telematics offering that brings an unprecedented level of connectivity to Mercedes-Benz drivers and begins the process of allowing them to customize their in-vehicle experiences to fit their daily needs. Powered by HTI, mbrace is now available on all new Mercedes-Benz vehicles sold through authorized dealers in the United States, and mbrace replaces Tele Aid, which was the previous telematics system that MBUSA has offered for the past 10 years, for such vehicles. In addition, most current Mercedes-Benz owners with the Tele Aid system will be eligible to upgrade to the new mbrace system.
“When we first launched our Telematics platform it contained features many vehicles still lack today, and now we want to take our offering to the next level,” said Sascha Simon, director of advanced product planning, MBUSA. “With mbrace, we begin the introduction of a whole new generation of innovative and personalized services that fit our drivers’ mobile lifestyles, keeping them connected to the people, places and services that are important to them and offering them enhanced safety, security and navigation options. Most importantly, the flexibility of Hughes Telematics’ architecture will also allow us to continually add new features and innovations that will keep Mercedes-Benz on the forefront of in-vehicle services.”
Specifically, mbrace personifies “connected services” by marking the first time drivers can connect with their vehicles via an iPhone™ or BlackBerry™, allowing them to do such things as remotely lock or unlock their vehicles or locate their vehicles in crowded parking lots or on city streets through a map representation on their smart phones. The flexibility of combining HTI’s platform with today’s leading smartphone offerings allows for a continual stream of in-vehicle innovation throughout the life of a vehicle’s ownership.
“Hughes Telematics is excited to be working with Mercedes-Benz as we introduce the next generation of connected services to customers,” said Erik Goldman, president, HTI. “This platform upon which mbrace is built is designed with the most flexibility in the industry allowing Mercedes-Benz to continuously innovate with new services and features.”
The mbrace system offers 18 features (five of which are part of a premium package) aggregated in the categories of safety & security, navigation & destination planning and convenience. The services can be accessed quickly and easily from within the vehicle or from any computer through a personalized web portal.
The standard mbrace safety and security features include: Automatic Collision Notification; SOS/Emergency Calling; Safe Ride; Roadside Assistance Connection (in-vehicle and mobile application); Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance; Automatic Alarm Notification; Vehicle Information and Crisis Assist. Navigation services include a Search & Send feature. Standard convenience features include: Remote Door Unlock and Lock (remote application), Vehicle Finder (via mobile application), and Dealer Connect (mobile application). A premium service – mbrace PLUS – adds such features as Location-Based Weather, Location-Based Traffic, agent-assisted Route Assistance, Point-of-Interest Destination Download (through agent), and “Mercedes-Benz Concierge,” which functions much as a hotel concierge making restaurant reservations, locating stores and services, cash wire assistance, etc.
About Hughes Telematics, Inc.
Hughes Telematics, Inc. (“HTI”) (OTCBB: HUTC and HUTCW) is a leader in implementing the next generation of connected services for the automobile. Centered on a core platform of safety and security offerings, the company develops and manages vehicle- and driver-centric solutions to enhance the driving and ownership experience. Headquartered in Atlanta, Ga., HTI offers a portfolio of consumer, manufacturer, fleet and dealer services provided through two-way connectivity to the vehicle. Networkfleet, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of HTI located in San Diego, Ca., offers remote vehicle diagnostics, an integrated GPS tracking and emissions monitoring system for wireless fleet vehicle management. Additional information about HTI can be found at www.hughestelematics.com.