Mercedes-Benz is discontinuing a feature that syncs music with driving

Mercedes-Benz recently sent a notice to customers announcing its plans to discontinue MBUX SoundDrive, an interactive audio feature that syncs music to the car’s movements. It was the advantage It was first announced less than a year ago at CES In partnership with Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.i.am.

Notifications were recently sent to customers that the MBUX audio engine will be discontinued on December 17, according to an email obtained by Edge. “We are working to continue providing innovative and comparable services,” the automaker said.

The “Innovative Music Experience” uses sensors and software to link music to driving. Mercedes used musical compositions composed to pair with normal functions such as electric recovery, acceleration, steering and braking. During CES, Will.i.am said the feature turned the entire car into its own “orchestra.” Drivers can subscribe by selecting Sound Drive through their infotainment screen, which then connects the car’s hardware to the music software through ‘in-car signals’ that enable the music to interact with driving characteristics in real time.

It was a fun, if unnecessary, gimmick that enabled the music to “interact” with some of the driving movements. For example, if you slow down the sound it will fade out, and when you speed up the bass it will become stronger. The feature will only work with 30 or so preset tracks, though Mercedes intended it to be an “open music platform” so any musician can create their own soundscape while driving.

Using the company’s MBUX operating system, artists from around the world are invited to “create tracks” for a variety of driving jobs. But it is clear that the technology vision did not materialize as expected. In an email, Mercedes spokeswoman Kathleen Decker confirmed that MBUX SoundDrive has been turned off.

“In the context of our ongoing review and further strategic development of our range of digital add-ons, we have decided to deactivate MBUX SOUND DRIVE and remove it from our offering at the end of this year,” Decker said. “This modification allows us to continuously improve our offerings and focus on developing future-oriented innovations.”