Mercedes opts for glowing star over human face for new in-car AI assistant
-
Mercedes considered giving its in-car AI system a human avatar/face, but ultimately decided against it based on internal studies showing many people dislike interacting with human-like AI.
-
Instead, the AI takes the form of a "star cloud" that changes color and animation to be more human-like without actually depicting a human face.
-
The article discusses the pros (more natural interaction) and cons (uncanny valley) of human-like AI and cites examples like Mahindra Racing's controversial "AI Ambassador."
-
Mercedes' new AI assistant can showcase restaurants when asked and responds differently based on the driver's mood.
-
The AI will be voice-activated and interacted with via a glowing Mercedes three-pointed star inside the car rather than a human face.