Remote Control Your Benz From Your Phone

[Paul Daniel Ash]

Mercedes-Benz announced its new telematics platform - called mbrace - on Monday, featuring an improved navigation system that provides directions, access to up-to-date location-based traffic and weather and information about points of interest along your route. The new service also integrates with car owners' iPhones, allowing them to find their Benzes and unlock them with a single tap.

The new Mercedes system replaces its 10-year-old Tele Aid service and comes standard on most models. There is built-in GPS capability and two-way data communications using Verizon in the US. If you're in an accident, the system will detect it by sensing if the airbags have deployed or if the Automatic Tensioning System on the seat-belts is triggered. An alert is sent to the Mercedes-Benz "Emergency Response Center," where an operator will attempt to call your iPhone. If they're unable to get through or if the user requests assistance, emergency services are immediately dispatched.

For normal use, the iPhone app will will lock or unlock a Benz remotely: literally remotely. Because the app sends commands to the car through its the 3G or WiFi connection, even if the phone is on one coast and the Benz on the other, it will still lock your car. The app will also locate your car and tell you how to get to it, and unlike some other apps will pinpoint the vehicle through its GPS transponder, rather than making the user remember to tag the car’s location when it's parked.

And of course, if you want to find your nearest Mercedes dealer, the app will help you do that, too.

The iPhone app is free. The Mercedes C-class starts at $33,600 US.

image via Hughes Telematics, Inc.

[kaaroFC]

Nice this is more affordable than a viper...i will look into this a little more!

[adp]

Great. Now I just need a Benz!

[zinjen]

Yah I don't understand this, can't they just make a universal remote application? It's annoying because I already own a $650 alarm setup by Compustar and it's doubtful they will provide an application for it. Would hope they find a way to sync your current remote with an iphone app to replicate the buttons.

[confucious]

Do people still have to press buttons to unlock their cars? How quaint!

[jokerg7]

Great App!
Anyone wanna buy me a benz?

[Michael Essany]

VERY cool!

[Taniban]

I own a Benz.. but I live in the Uk..

[astalavistadear]

can sm1 sponsor me a benz..

[Melech518]

Now all Mercedes has to do is figure out a way to keep their owners cars out of the shop for the majority of the cars life. Mercedes has gone seriously down hill with quality in the past 5 years, which is why I switched to BMW

[adp]

Now all Mercedes has to do is figure out a way to keep their owners cars out of the shop for the majority of the cars life. Mercedes has gone seriously down hill with quality in the past 5 years, which is why I switched to BMW

I have to agree with you on this. Ever since they merged with Chrysler their quality went down. BMW's quality is a lot higher these days.

With the exception of the Mclaren SLR, of course.

[rhekt]

theres similar software available @ bestbuy for any vehicle. designed specifically for the iphone and acts just like whats being reported here. runs about $99.00 i think.

[nighthawk283]

Really nice they should just do it with every car

[ifonemaniac]

Now all Mercedes has to do is figure out a way to keep their owners cars out of the shop for the majority of the cars life. Mercedes has gone seriously down hill with quality in the past 5 years, which is why I switched to BMW

hey melech can u sell all ur macintosh products so you can buy me and then entire MMi staff a benz. thx

[psychodave]

Anyone else find it funny the car is on Verizon and it works with your iPhone?

[JJMA]

So now when you get your iphone stolen you can provide a getaway for then also

[tudtran]

Is this save? Can people hack this?

[JJMA]

i would say when. People will always find a way may take a little time but it will happen

[Melech518]

hey melech can u sell all ur macintosh products so you can buy me and then entire MMi staff a benz. thx

LMAO- We can start a ModMyBenz chip-in for it

[Ximpostrxx]

Damn I wish I didn't crash my E310