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Mercedes strives to beat Tesla’s infotainment system with 56-inch wide ‘Hyperscreen’
Mercedes-Benz parent company, Daimler, has unveiled a new 56-inch-wide, “Hyperscreen.” The incredibly wide touchscreen will revolutionize the German automaker’s interior vehicle design as it aims to keep up with Tesla’s industry-leading electric vehicle lineup, which has one of the most revolutionary interiors that has changed the way rival car companies are designing vehicle cabins.
The MBUX Hyperscreen spans from the driver’s-side to the passenger’s side of the front of the car, equipping a speedometer, odometer, and other information that the pilot could find useful during navigation. In the center, a large screen shows a detailed and crystal-clear Navigation System, outfitted with touch-sensitive buttons and sleek and modern designs. In front of the passenger lies another screen that will display designs. The passenger screen will have the ability to display television and movies in some markets, depending on legislation, as it could be a distraction to the driver.
The innovative MBUX Hyperscreen offers completely new ways of control, interaction and entertainment. Its “zero-layer principle” automatically brings all apps and functions into a fluid, proactive user interface – powered by an AI. Learn more here:
— Daimler AG (@Daimler) January 7, 2021
Daimler CEO Ola Kallenius notes that there is a “huge customer demand” for the massive Hyperscreen. The 2022 Mercedes EQS, the company’s newest electric vehicle, will have the Hyperscreen available as an optional feature. Still, Kallenius expects plenty of people who buy the sleek, S-Class reminiscent car to take advantage of the largest screen in the industry. “We expect a very high take-up rate,” he said at the screen’s unveiling event on Thursday.
The screen is really a way to welcome in a stream of subscription programs and services that customers will have to buy into and download to experience the full value and potential. Maps, entertainment features, and other applications will be available to use with the Hyperscreen. Still, they will require a separate fee and will help drive revenues into the German car company.
2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS (Credit: Mercedes Benz)
“It is part of our business strategy to increase this profit pool of recurring revenues,” Kallenius added.
With passenger mobility transitioning to electric options due to consumer demand and tougher government regulations, automakers are developing ways to keep up with Tesla. While the Silicon Valley-based electric car maker has dominated EV sales figures globally for several years, legacy automakers who have tasted the wake-up call shift their focus toward entertainment and design features that make their vehicles more appealing. Tesla’s minimalistic interior, which is dominated by a 15-inch, horizontal dash screen in the Model 3 and Model Y and a 17-inch, vertical screen in the S and X, has influenced competing car companies to do away with old-fashioned knobs and dials and try a more modern-contemporary feel within the cabin.
Daimler’s full event to unveil the Hyperscreen is available below.
World premiere of the MBUX Hyperscreen https://t.co/uFDyvAPrzQ
— Daimler AG (@Daimler) January 7, 2021
What do you think? Leave a comment down below. Got a tip? Email us at tips@teslarati.com or reach out to me at joey@teslarati.com.
News
Tesla Diner to transition to full-service restaurant as Chef heads for new venture
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Tesla Diner, the all-in-one Supercharging and dining experience located in Los Angeles, will transition to a full-service restaurant in January, staff said, as Chef Eric Greenspan said he would take on a new project.
A report from the Los Angeles Times says Greenspan confirmed through a text that he would leave the Diner and focus on the opening of his new Jewish deli, Mish.
Greenspan confirmed to the paper:
“I am leaving the Tesla Diner project to focus on the opening of Mish, my long-desired Jewish deli. Projects like Mish and the Tesla Diner require a sharpness of focus and attention, and my focus and attention is now squarely on Mish.”
Greenspan took on the job at the Tesla Diner and curated the menu back in March, focusing on locally-sourced ingredients and items that would play on various company products, like Cybertruck-shaped boxes that hold burgers.
Tesla Cybertruck leftovers are the main course at the Supercharger Diner
The Tesla Diner has operated as somewhat of a self-serve establishment, where Tesla owners can order directly from their vehicles through the center touchscreen. It was not exclusive to Tesla owners. Guests could also enter and order at a counter, and pick up their food, before sitting at a booth or table.
However, the report indicates Tesla is planning to push it toward a sit-down restaurant, full of waiters, waitresses, and servers, all of which will come to a table after you are seated, take your order, and serve your food.
It will be more of a full-featured restaurant experience moving forward, which is an interesting move from the company, but it also sounds as if it could be testing for an expansion.
We know that Tesla is already considering expanding locations, as it will be heading to new areas of the country. CEO Elon Musk has said that Tesla will be considering locations in Palo Alto near the company’s Engineering HQ, and in Austin, where its HQ and Gigafactory Texas are located.
Musk said that the Diner has been very successful in its first few months of operation.
News
Tesla adds new surprising fee to Robotaxi program
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
Tesla has added a new and somewhat surprising fee to the Robotaxi program. It’s only surprising because it was never there before.
Tesla shocked everyone when it launched its Robotaxi platform and offered riders the opportunity to tip, only to tell them they do not accept tips. It was one of the company’s attempts at being humorous as it rolled out its driverless platform to people in Austin.
As it has expanded to new cities and been opened to more people, as it was yesterday to iOS users, Tesla has had to tweak some of the minor details of the Robotaxi and ride-hailing platforms it operates.
First Look at Tesla’s Robotaxi App: features, design, and more
With more riders, more vehicles, and more operational jurisdictions, the company has to adjust as things become busier.
Now, it is adjusting the platform by adding “Cleaning Fees” to the Robotaxi platform, but it seems it is only charged if the vehicle requires some additional attention after your ride.
The app will communicate with the rider with the following message (via Not a Tesla App):
“Additional cleaning was required for the vehicle after your trip. A fee has been added to your final cost to cover this service. Please contact us if you have any questions.”
The cost of the cleaning will likely depend on how severe the mess is. If you spill a soda, it will likely cost less than if you lose your lunch in the back of the car because you had a few too many drinks.
This is an expected change, and it seems to be one that is needed, especially considering Tesla is operating a small-scale ride-hailing service at the current time. As it expands to more states and cities and eventually is available everywhere, there will be more situations that will arise.
The messes in vehicles are not a new situation, especially in a rideshare setting. It will be interesting to see if Tesla will enable other fees, like ones for riders who request a ride and do not show up for it.
News
Tesla Model Y sold out in China for 2025
Customers who wish to get their cars by the end of the year would likely need to get an inventory unit.
It appears that the Model Y has been sold out for 2025 in China. This seems to be true for the four variants of the vehicle that are currently offered in the country.
Tesla China’s order page update
A look at Tesla China’s order page for the Model Y shows a message informing customers that those who wish to guarantee delivery by the end of the year should purchase an inventory unit. This was despite the Model Y RWD and Model Y L showing an estimated delivery timeline of 4-8 weeks, and the Model Y Long Range RWD and Model Y Long Range AWD showing 4-13 weeks.
As per industry watchers, these updates on the Model Y’s order page suggest that Tesla China’s sales capacity for the remainder of 2025 has been sold out. The fact that estimated delivery timeframes for the Model Y Long Range RWD and AWD extend up to 13 weeks also bodes well for demand for the vehicle, especially given strong rivals like the Xiaomi YU7, which undercuts the Model Y in price.
Tesla China’s upcoming big updates
What is quite interesting is that Tesla China is still competing in the country with one hand partly tied behind its back. So far, Tesla has only been able to secure partial approval for its flagship self-driving software, FSD, in China. This has resulted in V14 not being rolled out to the country yet. Despite this, Tesla China’s “Autopilot automatic assisted driving on urban roads,” as the system is called locally, has earned positive reviews from users.
As per Elon Musk during the 2025 Annual Shareholder Meeting, however, Tesla is expecting to secure full approval for FSD in China in early 2026. “We have partial approval in China, and we hopefully will have full approval in China around February or March or so. That’s what they’ve told us,” Musk said.