In the run-up to the 2014 international CES, Mercedes-Benz has given us a peek into its plans for the coming year by announcing a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley-based Pebble Technology. In the recent few months, the German automaker has gone into overdrive to adopt smart technology and integrate it with its line-up of cars. Mercedes wants to bring greater connectivity between the driver and the car by partnering with the smartwatch manufacturer. The alliance gives Mercedes early access to some of the newest hardware and early releases of application programming interfaces (APIs) offered by Pebble Technology, allowing it to develop innovative integrated applications.
The Pebble watch comes integrated with the existing Digital DriveStyle app by Mercedes and serves as a second screen. From behind the steering wheel, Mercedes drivers can use the watch to stay up-to-date on accidents, road construction, or stalled vehicles through constant feed and when away from the car, the Pebble smartwatch can also be used to access vehicle information like fuel level, door-lock status, and vehicle location. The drivers can also customize the three buttons on the watch to activate their favorite Digital DriveStyle app features like reporting hazards, auto-routing, Siri activation, remote-controlling media, or quickly showing nearby traffic conditions. It may be a great piece of hardware but looking at it carefully reveals it doesn’t serve additional benefit. Moreover, the pebble watch doesn’t look too good to go along a luxury or a sports car. Mercedes and its new partner Pebble Technology will present the watch at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas on January 6.
[Via – Motorauthority]
