Mercedes-Benz Korea, German automaker Mercedes-Benz’s Korean unit and Seoul-based mobile carrier KT Corp. will partner to roll out connected car services tailored to specific needs of Korean drivers, pitting against the rival alliance of BMW Korea and the country’s another telecommunications giant SK Telecom Co. in the local connected car race.

The German automaker said Wednesday that it will launch its connected car service in Korea, dubbed “Mercedes me connect,” in collaboration with KT. The new Mercedes-Benz sedans to be powered by the long-term evolution (LTE)-based connected car technology will hit the market in the second half of this year, it said.

The Mercedes me connect technology will feature three internet-based services - bCall, eCall, and iCall, according to the company. The bCall, standing for breakdown call, will allow drivers to make 24-hour roadside assistance when the car breaks down, while eCall, or emergency call, will automatically notify a customer contact center on information such as the location of the car and the number of passengers when an accident occurs.

The iCall, or information call, will also provide artificial intelligence-based secretarial supports such as advising driving routes to a destination and searching for popular restaurants. Moreover, drivers will be able to monitor car’s status such as fuel efficiency and brake pad condition via their smartphones and have related information to an auto repair center.

KT that already completed the development of connected car technology customized for the driving environment in Korea last year will conduct tests on the new technology until June and launch the new network-based driving service from the second half this year. SK Telecom also successfully showcased its wireless feed for assisted driving experience on a BMW car powered by 5G, the next generation of mobile network, late last year.

“Mercedes me connect services will completely transform the future driving environment,” said Dimitris Psillakis, chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz Korea.

By Lim Sung-hyun

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business News Korea & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]