- Mercedes-Benz was the first automotive manufacturer to establish an R&D center in Silicon Valley 30 years ago
- Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA) has an impressive portfolio of cutting-edge technologies that have culminated in nearly 100 U.S. patents awarded to Mercedes‑Benz and its affiliated entities
- Today, a powerhouse of more than 600 employees across six U.S. locations is pioneering the most desirable technologies from North America for Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA), a Silicon Valley-headquartered research and development subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG, proudly celebrated 30 years of unrivaled technological advancements in automotive innovation.
The subsidiary’s history is a story of trailblazing industry firsts – first automaker to deliver full iPod music navigation, first German premium automotive manufacturer to bring Apple’s “CarPlay” infotainment system based on the iPhone into cars, first automaker in the U.S. to launch the Google “Send-to-Car” functionality in a vehicle, and most recently the first ChatGPT integration into selected Mercedes-Benz models via MBUX. For three decades, MBRDNA has served as an incubator of revolutionary ideas that have transformed the automotive landscape.
“Innovation is at the core of our DNA. For 30 years now, MBRDNA has played an integral part in combining the most innovative technologies with Mercedes-Benz engineering excellence. Among other things, it is thanks to their ceaseless efforts that we’re ready for 2025 – and the years to come. And we’ve got the CLA and MB.OS right around the corner to prove it.”
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG
MBRDNA was first established in 1994, with the clear mission to arrange contacts and cooperative projects with other research institutions in the US and observe technological developments on site. From its early focus on information technology and microelectronics, MBRDNA has evolved into a pioneering force where German engineering excellence converges with Silicon Valley’s transformative innovation culture.
Today, MBRDNA plays a key part in solidifying Mercedes-Benz’s technological leadership, particularly in the fields of autonomous driving, AI experience, e-drive, and advanced exterior design. MBRDNA’s innovative footprint spans six strategic locations across North America – from Ann Arbor and Farmington Hills, Michigan, to Seattle, Washington, and throughout California in Sunnyvale, Long Beach, and Carlsbad – where more than 600 visionaries advance the brand’s legacy of engineering excellence. This 30-year milestone is not simply a marker of time, but a tribute to MBRDNA’s commitment to envisioning and engineering the most desirable cars for Mercedes‑Benz in North America.
“Our global Research and Development network plays an important role in creating the world’s most desirable cars. Today, digitalization and the electrification of the drivetrain revolutionize what this means. MBRDNA allows us to tap into Silicon Valley’s unique ecosystem of tech giants, startup companies, and world-renowned universities. This helps us to push the envelope in exploring ways in which AI can enhance our customers’ experience – from automated driving to hyper-personalization.”
Markus Schäfer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Chief Technology Officer, Development & Procurement
30 Years of Innovation
Throughout its 30-year journey, MBRDNA has an extensive portfolio of cutting-edge technologies that have culminated in nearly 100 U.S. patents awarded to Mercedes‑Benz, including those now held by Daimler Trucks North America. For instance, MBRDNA’s dedicated teams have been instrumental in developing and certifying Mercedes‑Benz DRIVE PILOT, the world’s first SAE-Level 3 system for conditionally automated driving with internationally valid type approval within the U.S. Furthermore, MBRDNA reimagines the relationship between driver and vehicle through intuitive design principles.
By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI), the team creates adaptive environments that learn, anticipate, and seamlessly cater to individual preferences, transforming complexity into user-centric simplicity. For example, the “Zero-Layer” and intelligent “Routines” feature learn user preferences to automate comfort settings. Now further enhanced by ChatGPT and GPT‑4o integration, the MBUX Voice Assistant delivers an even more intuitive and natural conversational experience, creating a truly personalized in-vehicle environment. Starting from the new CLA in 2025, MBUX Virtual Assistant will also integrate Gemini on Google Cloud and Google Places data, further enhancing the user experience on conversational POI search.
