Cisco is working with Mercedes Benz to add its Webex conferencing tools to the dashboard of vehicles arriving in dealerships in the coming weeks, the company said as it seeks to turn the car into a mobile office.
The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E Class will be equipped with Wi-Fi and a cellular data connection, meaning drivers can download the Webex application to appear directly on the touchscreen of the vehicle’s infotainment system without needing a mobile phone.
As a safety precaution, Webex calls will be audio only when the vehicle is moving, but users can access all features when it is parked, including video meetings, automatic transcription, content-sharing, and reactions.
Video-conferencing platforms, such as Webex, saw a huge boost during the pandemic when many were forced to work from home, but since the lockdowns were lifted, the companies are looking to partner with others to bring growth again.
Zoom has tied up with Tesla to equip its vehicles with conferencing tools and Cisco plans to announce other partnerships at the MWC telecoms conference in Barcelona this week. They include one with Samsung for Webex integration in its flagship phones. A partnership with Intel is also in the works.