Mercedes-Benz Korea Provides 'COVID-19 Testing Site' Information Through Vehicle Infotainment System

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunseok Yoo] Mercedes-Benz Korea announced on the 23rd that, as part of its efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19, it will provide a feature in the infotainment system ‘MBUX (Mercedes-Benz User Experience)’ navigation that allows users to check medical institutions where rapid antigen tests are available.

The location display feature, developed by the Mercedes-Benz Research & Development (R&D) Korea Center, responds to the nationwide shift to rapid antigen testing due to the spread of the Omicron variant. It enables drivers to conveniently check testing locations within the vehicle and quickly reach their destinations.

The location display function quickly provides information on medical institutions where rapid antigen tests are available, including screening clinics, general hospitals, and regular clinics, on the MBUX navigation map. More accurate information is continuously updated, such as when testing is unavailable at certain institutions due to their circumstances, resulting in those locations not being displayed on the map.

All Mercedes-Benz vehicles equipped with MBUX navigation can check information on medical institutions offering rapid antigen tests free of charge without any separate updates. Drivers only need to select the ‘Map Display’ menu on the navigation and activate the ‘COVID-19’ option.

Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation infotainment system MBUX was first introduced in Korea through the 2019 launch of the The New GLE. MBUX navigation has been installed in EQ brand vehicles such as The New S-Class, The New EQA, and The New EQS.

Meanwhile, since April 2020, Mercedes-Benz Korea has provided the ‘Mask Map’ service in MBUX navigation, allowing users to check official mask sales locations and stock status. Currently, the service offers information on COVID-19 screening clinics, confirmed cases, and vaccination numbers.

Christian Dickmann, head of the Mercedes-Benz R&D Korea Center, said, “This urgent development was carried out in response to the large-scale spread of the Omicron variant. We will continue to strive to develop innovative technologies to provide a safer and more convenient environment for Mercedes-Benz customers in Korea.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.