What’s the peak of technology in cars? Self-driving modes? Check. Massaging seat? Check. An all-screen dashboard? Check. Mercedes-Benz, the brand that literally invented the motorcar, has a different idea, though. Instead of figuring out the future of propulsion technology, the German brand says that all its esteemed customers need is Microsoft Teams. Yes, the same Microsoft Teams that brings you down to reality every morning.
As a way of demonstrating its advanced in-car technology, Mercedes-Benz has tied up with Microsoft to bring its Team video call app to its in-car operating system. The idea is to demonstrate the superior technological capabilities of its dashboard-mounted video conferencing camera, along with the microphone and advanced multi-speaker audio system. Vehicles like the new CLA-Class and the E-Class sedan come equipped with an in-built video camera on the dashboard. Not Snapchat or any other video call app – Microsoft Teams is what Mercedes thinks is the best way to demonstrate its in-car technology.
Mercedes-Benz brings MS Teams to its car
Time for some serious details. In its press release, Mercedes-Benz says the arrival of MS Teams on its vehicles is a new feature that sets “new standard for in-car productivity” via the in-car camera. Hence, drivers can now log in early during their commute hours for early morning meetings. Mercedes has considered safety, too, which is why the driver will be restricted from viewing shared screens or slides while the vehicle is in motion.
Other than the unmissable irony here (driver can’t see slides while in a MS Teams meeting – how could the meeting happen in that case?), the presence of MS Teams in your car makes netizens question the concept of work-life balance. While many acknowledge the presence of MS Teams in-car for quickly getting on important meetings or making commutes more productive, the presence of such technology could make companies enable a disbalance in work-life balance.
Will other video conferencing apps like Google Meet and Zoom also make their way to Mercedes cars? The possibility seems positive.
How are netizens reacting?
As usual, the internet couldn’t hold itself together for long. Hence, the timelines on X were full of funny memes.
