Cisco has confirmed it is to work with Mercedes-Benz on providing an 'optimal office experience' in its E-Class vehicles.
Announced at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, the partnership UC Today first reported on last week is intended to aim at the hybrid work market and looks to transform cars into a home office by making the tech safe and secure while capitalising on Mercedes-Benz renown for high-end comfort.
A statement for the firms confirmed more in-depth details about the project, reinforcing the joint commitment to innovation in hybrid work and connected vehicles.
Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Security & Collaboration at Cisco, stated: “Hybrid work is centred on the work you do, not where you do it — whether it’s in the office, home, car, or anywhere in between.
"The mobile office cannot progress without the reliable and secure collaboration technology only Cisco can provide. This partnership with Mercedes-Benz, a leader in automotive luxury, marks a big step forward in delivering the flexibility that hybrid workforce demands.”
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Smooth Meetings and Calls with Audio Intelligence
As part of the proposed offering, drivers can use Webex to seamlessly meet and call in meetings and corporate-level calls, using the features of the Webex Suite.
Webex-exclusive audio intelligence technology will deliver noise cancellation to enhance speaking and listening for the driver and all passengers working in the vehicle. At the same time, the clarity of human voices is enhanced while eliminating distractions such as road and ground noise and sometimes fellow riders talking in the background.
Security is at the heart of the announcement: Meetings and calls use audio only while the vehicle is in motion. Users can utilise Webex's immersive collaboration while parked, including video conferencing, AI-powered automatic transcription, content sharing, and reactions like thumbs-ups and congratulatory emojis.
Cisco currently works with more than 32,000 transportation organisations in 169 countries worldwide and has 25,000 patents in the transportation space. The new partnership with Mercedes-Benz is part of Webex for Automobiles, including Webex Meetings for Apple CarPlay and its collaboration with Ford Motor Company.
