Mercedes Benz

In everyday life, people are becoming increasingly unwilling to forego their personal music and picture collections while they are moving about. Accordingly, the market for portable multimedia equipment such as USB-based MP3 players, music phones and Apple iPods® is booming. The Mercedes-Benz Universal Media Interface for the GLK, which is available as a retrofit, makes it possible to use these external devices via the vehicle audio system – with top sound reproduction quality, simple operation and perfect integration into the vehicle architecture.

Existing operating controls such as controllers, displays and the radio can still easily be used – no replacement of components is required. After the interface has been installed by a specialist Mercedes-Benz workshop, no additional hardware or software installation is required.

In accordance with the “plug-and-play” principle, the external multimedia devices can be connected quickly and easily using the appropriate connection alternatives in each instance, to the UMI connector which is discreetly housed in the glovebox. The various multimedia functions can be activated simply by pressing the “AUX” button on the car radio. Using the clearly structured menu levels, the user can then easily activate the desired functions by means of the controller (press/turn knob) on the centre console, and can easily read them off the large vehicle display.

Music lovers will also be delighted with the wireless transmission of audio signals via the A2DP Bluetooth® profile. This audio streaming makes it possible to play music wirelessly directly from the MP3 memory of a mobile phone equipped with Bluetooth technology. The mobile phone can remain in the user’s jacket pocket – it is sufficient merely to activate the Bluetooth connection.

The intelligent USB interface also affords greater convenience. If music is stopped or switched off at the USB stick, the system records the position and commences at exactly the same point when the stick is activated again.

The new Universal Media Interface can do even more: customers who use the often factory-ordered Audio 20 CD system without a navigation function receive a convenient retrofitted navigation function with the Universal Media Interface. In addition to the required navigation software, the module set also contains up-to-date map materials for Europeat no additional cost.

The system uses several information sources, such as the vehicle speed and GPS coordinates, to precisely determine the location of the vehicle. The operation via the controller in the centre console is especially convenient and reliable. In addition, the Universal Media Interface uses the display, which, likewise, is already provided in order to display the maps, and it also displays the route recommendations using arrow symbols in the vehicle’s instrument cluster. An additional monitor, which would upset the harmony of the vehicle’s interior, is therefore unnecessary.

The route planning is made without delays, because the system has an efficient processor. Numerousadditional features make the navigation very sophisticated. The TMC (traffic message channel) function, which is fitted as standard, warns of traffic jams and suggests detours. The inclination of the map display can be individually selected, or it can be switched to “Bird view mode”. The acoustic route information can be announced in 19 languages.

The system always remains state-of-the-art: updates can be easily uploaded and installed by means of a USB stick. The Universal Media Interface thus represents an attractive and fully vehicle-integrated navigation retrofit solution.

The music part of the new interface, too, is characterised by perfect integration into the vehicle architecture. For instance, in the case of the iPod®, the driver can control all the music functions, such as navigating through the playlists, browsing at the next-highest menu level, fast-forwarding, and rewinding or track repetition, by means of the controller in the centre console. Amongst other things, the colour display (in the case of Audio 20 CD with a five-inch screen) of the audio system provides information about the respective music track, the artists and albums, and also about the MP3 player’s playback mode.

In addition, if desired, some music functions can also be controlled using the multi-function steering wheel. In this case, the most important information is displayed in the instrument cluster.

The question of the power supply is also elegantly solved: the Mercedes-Benz Universal Media Interface automatically supplies fresh energy to the battery of the portable communication and entertainment devices by means of the on-board power supply system, once the connection has been established and the ignition has been switched on. If the device is taken out of the glovebox after a long car ride, the battery will still be fully charged.

The Mercedes-Benz Universal Media Interface will be available for the new GLK-Class following the market launch in October 2008. It will be available from all Mercedes-Benz partners at a price of 1099.00 euros (incl. VAT; this price applies to the German market, plus installation costs).

When linked to the Audio 20 CD audio system, theMercedes-Benz Universal Media Interface provides the following functions which are shown on the display in each case: