The new Mercedes-Benz EQS Sedan and EQS SUV will be sold with features that can be unlocked via over-the-air (OTA) software updates by current and future owners as and when they need them.
However, these features can only be had if the cars have the applicable equipment installed from the factory.
Therefore, even if a vehicle has the right tools to do the job, the owner must still pay to be able to do it.
What are OTA updates
OTA updates on cars work in a similar fashion to updates on something like a computer, where a company improves the product by enabling new abilities through software programmes that are downloadable when the car is connected to the internet.
For the Mercedes-Benz EQS range, OTA abilities include increased rear-axle steering angles, a dashcam, augmented reality navigation, and the individualisation package for unique interior soundscapes and mini-games such as Sudoku on the infotainment system.
Apart from BMW, Tesla, and Porsche – which offers a range-extender option for its Taycan in the United States – Mercedes is one of the first big automakers to implement OTA updates on such a large scale.
It’s also not the last to do so, as Audi, Ford, Lexus, and a handful of other manufacturers have said their flagship vehicles will also start offering the same abilities in the near future.
Nevertheless, when you buy an expensive car from a premium brand you might not want to pay extra to get access to equipment that is already installed.
The good news is that these vehicles are already so kitted that you would only need to pay for the additional features if you really want them, and there’s almost no chance that not having them will affect the usability of the car.
OTA updates in South Africa
While the local arm of Mercedes has confirmed that both its high-end electric vehicles are launching in the country, the South African specifications of these cars have not yet been made public.
As such, we don’t know if they will offer OTA updates when they arrive in our showrooms, but we will not be surprised if they do.
Mercedes already offers its local customers OTA updates through the Mercedes Me store, which gives owners the ability to activate systems such as a Remote Parking Assistant, remote window controls, and additional navigation services at a certain cost and for a certain duration.
One of Mercedes’ biggest competitors, BMW, also provides OTA features through its ConnectedDrive store.
Most notably, BMW offers a high-beam assistant, adaptive M suspension, a Drive Recorder, real-time traffic information, and remote engine start – among a host of other options.
TopAuto contacted Porsche South Africa to find out its stance on OTA updates for the Taycan in our market.
“The ‘connect’ remote OTA system is not yet available in ‘developing’ markets,” said Porsche South Africa.
“Porsche is working on a plan to introduce this/similar system to ‘developing’ markets as soon as possible.”
Benefits and drawbacks of OTA updates
Cars are becoming increasingly complicated and digital, and as this happens, the onboard software must be maintained and updated to perform optimally – just like on a smartphone.
On the bright side, this makes vehicles much more capable in a wider range of scenarios, but on the reverse side, it also means they are more susceptible to bugs and issues.
This is where OTA updates come in, helping owners avoid the hassle of returning to the dealership on a regular basis to get the freshest software installed.
It also minimises the occurrence of physical recalls due to software-related issues.
Another benefit is that OTA updates can assist in slowing down the rate of depreciation, as older cars can now be sold with features that might not have been available yet when they were new.
However, for all its benefits, OTA updates have also been met with their fair share of backlash.
A main concern of consumers is they are afraid that, if they happened to miss a payment or the purchase agreement expires, a certain system will cut off when they need it most.
Currently, automakers are still focused on non-vital features that are nice-to-haves rather than necessities, which makes this concern a little less serious, according to Gartner analyst Michael Ramsay.
It’s also highly unlikely that manufacturers will sell cars in the future where important equipment such as headlights must be paid for on a monthly basis.
Another argument is that OTA updates provide just another platform for nefarious actors to take control of a car and do their worst.
Tesla has before been a victim of this, when a 19-year-old German teen found a way to start its vehicles and activate in-cabin systems without being near them.
To fix this, Tesla contacted the person and, with his assistance, patched the bug on their software.
While there are currently few ways to stop this from happening, as technologies improve, car manufacturers have committed to investing in their cybersecurity and software departments to keep their systems as bug-free, and users as secure as possible.
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