Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft team up to turn your car into an office

Craig Donaldson2 days ago

I'm not sure about you, but the last thing I want to do while driving is try to work at the same time. The car is for getting me from point A to point B, and I don't mind listening to some tunes on Spotify or chatting with a friend while doing so. That said, if you have the desire to turn your car into your third office and never miss a moment of work, Mercedes-Benz has just the thing for you.

The German luxury automaker recently announced a collaboration with Microsoft to integrate its Meetings for Teams app directly into its newest CLA vehicle. For the first time, you'll be able to join a Microsoft Teams call in your car while using the in-car camera to video conference with your colleagues while you're driving.

While this may sound like a recipe for distracted driving (and overtime), Mercedes-Benz has added safety features to reduce that risk and meet the laws of many countries. Specifically, if you're in a Teams meeting and driving, you won't be able to see any video, shared slides, or screens.

"Given the brand's focus on safety, the use of the camera abides by the laws of each country and has been approved for use while the vehicle is in motion. The meeting video stream turns off automatically as soon as the camera is activated to prevent driver distraction," Mercedez-Benz said in a press release.

Mercedes-Benz doesn't want you to miss a meeting

Mercedes-Benz is also working to bring Microsoft 365 Copilot to its cars

Using apps like Teams, Zoom, or Webex in the car isn't new, nor is the ability to talk on the phone hands-free while driving. What's new here is Mercedes-Benz's approach. For example, while you can use Teams while driving with CarPlay and Android Auto, nobody in the meeting can see you, which is why Mercedes-Benz's approach is unique. Since it uses the car's interior camera, your colleagues can actually see your video while you're driving.

Here's how it works: If you attend a meeting while your car is parked, you'll be able to see the video participants on your call and any shared slides or screens. When your car shifts from park to drive, Teams will automatically switch from a video call to an audio call. However, if your in-car interior camera is on, your colleagues will still be able to see you, but you won't be able to see them. To see how all this works for yourself, you can check out the video below.

This new Microsoft Teams function will be available first in the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA, an all-electric compact sedan, which the automaker revealed earlier this year. And don't worry, if you don't want your colleagues to be able to see you at all on Teams while you're driving, there's a way to turn off your camera entirely. Also, thanks to a new Teams dashboard on the CLA's screen, you'll be able to read and send messages from your car's display and check your calendar. So if you're away from your desk for a while, the car's Teams dashboard can help you stay connected.

"Through our industry-leading collaboration with Microsoft, we are making it even easier for our customers to stay productive while on the move," said Ola Källenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Group, in a press release. "By integrating the latest Microsoft workspace tools, such as Microsoft Teams, directly into our new operating system, MB.OS, we've created an intuitive and safe user experience that boosts efficiency and reduces distractions at the same time."

If Teams isn't enough for you, Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft are also collaborating to integrate Microsoft 365 Copilot into its latest vehicles, enabling drivers to use voice prompts to summarize emails and handle daily tasks. Mercedes-Benz describes this as having "the potential to transform the vehicle into a third workspace, complementing the office and home office."

I won't lie, the thought of the car becoming a "third workplace" is a bit too much for me. I have zero interest in being stressed about work while driving. But there are two sides to every story, and if you're a busy person who has lots of meetings to stay up-to-date on, then Mercedes-Benz's new collaboration with Microsoft might be something that interests you.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5755204&forum_id=2...id.#49134834)