- Mercedes-Benz has debuted the Marco Polo camper van that can be controlled by a smartphone via the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control (MBAC) interface app.
- The app can control different parts of the living areas, such as lighting and heating.
- The van, named Marco Polo, will also include a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the cockpit, as well as the ability to be paired with the Mercedes me connect smartphone app.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Mercedes-Benz has debuted the Marco Polo camper van that can be controlled by a smartphone at the 2020 Caravan, Motor, and Tourism exhibition in Stuttgart, Germany.
The system – called the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Control (MBAC) interface – can control different parts of the living areas, such as the lighting and heating. It will come standard on the Marco Polo van by spring 2020.
“Connectivity is an important component of our product strategy which we have been intensively pursuing over the course of the past two years in the motor home segment,” head of marketing and sales at MercedesBenz Vans Klaus Maier said in a statement.
The MBAC is not the only new piece of technology that will be integrated into the van: Marco Polo will also include a touchscreen in the cockpit that has similar functions to the MBAC. And the automaker’s signature app – the Mercedes me connect – can also be paired with the Sprinter van for different uses, such as geofencing and GPS viewing.
"With this, we can offer camping fans a completely new level of comfort and live up to our aspiration of being the innovative leader in the segment," Maier continued.
Keep scrolling to see inside the Marco Polo that brings a tech-forward angle to #VanLife:
The automaker calls it a “smart home on wheels.”
The interior of the campervan has multiple storage spaces, including cupboards and drawers.
Marco Polo can sleep up to four people.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
Two can sleep in the foldout bed converted from the two backseats…
...and two can fit in the pop-up roof full-sized bed.
There’s also a Marco Polo ACTIVITY option that can sleep up to five people and seat up to seven.
The kitchenette includes a gas burner, refrigerator, and sink.
The van has "high quality yacht flooring," according to the automaker.
Marco Polo has a signature a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the cockpit with similar functions to the MBAC app.
This touchscreen, in conjunction with the app, can control the living spaces.
The automaker claims the app and touchscreen can control and view functions like checking the fresh and grey water tank levels…
...adjusting the heater and air conditioner, including setting timers and planned temperature reductions at night...
...opening or closing the pop-up roof…
...checking the battery charge levels…
...controlling the sliding sunroof…
...adjusting the sound system, including bass levels…
...and changing the brightness and color of the interior and ambient lighting.
The touchscreen also displays an optional 360 camera that can help with parking.
The MBAC program can be integrated into other camper vans and motorhomes.
This includes Westfalia’s James Cook van and Bimobil’s LBX 365, both of which are based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van body.
Consumers also have the option to use the Mercedes me connect app.
This app has been available for Sprinter use since August 2019.
It includes free service management, telediagnostics, and remote diagnostics, to name a few.
It also allows the van's owner to control tire pressure, fuel refill levels, vehicle tracking…
...navigation with a GPS, weather updates…
...and multimedia.
The Mercedes me connect app can also respond to "Hey Mercedes" similar to Apple's "Hey Siri."
The van will also have a Premium Sports Package Exterior.
This package includes chrome bumpers and five-spoke wheels.
The camper will be on display at the automaker's Caravan, Motor and Tourism — or CMT — exhibition in Germany from January 11 to 19.
Pricing has not been announced yet.
