Comand
Comand ( proper spelling : COMAND ) refers to various series of the infotainment system from Mercedes-Benz . The first model was offered in 1993 in the S-Class, 140 series . It carried the brand name Communications and Navigation System . This was the first fully integrated telematics system in the automotive industry. In 1996 it was expanded to include the Linguatronic voice control system , which enables destination entry and parts of the system to be operated using voice control .
The infotainment system has been sold under the brand name COMAND since 1998 . The abbreviations stand for Cockpit Management and Data System ; it is a central operating unit, the range of functions of which has been continuously expanded. Depending on the level of development of the technology and vehicle, more and more newer versions of the COMAND system were introduced, which are presented in the chronological order of their introduction below.
COMAND 2.5
Based on the symbol-based navigation radios APS2 & APS4 with an external navigation computer, Version 2.5 was the first system of this kind to appear in 1998. This first generation must not be confused with the COMAND APS NTG 2.5 generation, which appeared much later. COMAND 2.5 was offered as optional equipment only in the S-Class (220 series) and, from 1999, in the CL-Class (C 215) . The designation 2.5 indicates that the COMAND unit requires two and a half times the height of a DIN installation slot .
The system combined the operation of the standard components radio, cassette deck and the optional equipment navigation system with 4: 3 color monitor in the center console, CD changer, telephone and TV. During navigation, the route was displayed on the color monitor, and direction arrows were displayed in the instrument cluster. Optional in connection with a mobile radio device was dynamic route guidance, in which the device receives information on the current traffic situation via the mobile phone and takes this into account for route guidance. Everything is operated using buttons and rotary switches as well as an input block next to the navigation monitor. The navigation function was offered in 1998 for the S-Class (W220) at a list price of 4,200.00 DM (today adjusted for purchasing power approx. 2,883 EUR), the dynamic route guidance cost 1000.00 DM (686 EUR) extra.
The manufacturer of the device was Blaupunkt . The navigation data and the map material came from a CD-ROM from Tele Atlas , which covers Germany. Supplementary CDs were necessary for foreign countries.
In the course of late 1999 (from October) the CD-ROM reading format was brought up to date. The newer systems received the addition "DX". The map material without the "DX" suffix is only available up to 2007 - at a higher price - newer map data from 2014 are only available for the DX system.
The Comand 2.5 was available in different hardware versions, the first devices still had TMC external, later this was integrated into the head unit, the next version can be upgraded for the DX card format and the last version, recognizable by the letters on the numeric keys, has been released Works the ability to read compressed DX CDs.
The Comand 2.5 connects the navigation computer, TMC and TV module (initially also telephone) via the Robert Bosch CAN bus. Other extensions (CD changer, voice control, telephone, Teleaid, Bose amplifier) are integrated via the D2B data bus.
The successor is the Comand 2.0 APS
Comand 2.0
The Comand 2.0 was also manufactured by Blaupunkt, has a 4: 3 display and was already introduced in the W210. There are different versions for W202, W203 and R230 which essentially only differ in terms of a different control unit. The Comand 2.0 has a D2B data bus for multimedia expansions
Comand 2.0 APS
As part of the facelift of the S-Class (220 series) , a system from Blaupunkt was also used from September 2002 , but now for the first time with a 16: 9 color screen that was also larger. In addition, the cassette deck was replaced by a CD slot.
From September 2003 this device was manufactured by the company Siemens / VDO with the same design and since then has been named COMAND APS for the S-Class (220 series) , the facelift model of the CL-Class (C 215) and, from 2004, the new one SL (R 230) offered. The main innovation in the navigation was the Auto Pilot System (APS) , in which the information from the Traffic Message Channel (TMC) is used to calculate the route . As a result, it was no longer necessary to receive current traffic data via a mobile phone, as was the case with the COMAND 2.5 (see above). Changes were also that the navigation data was now read from a DVD instead of CD and the navigation data came from Navteq . The system was offered in 2002 for all variants of the S-Class (W / V 220) and for the CL 500 (C 215) at a list price of 1500 EUR. It was standard on the CL 600 (C 215) .
COMAND APS NTG 1
In 2003 a completely new device was introduced as an optional extra in the E-Class (211 series) with the NTG 1 version. The abbreviation "NTG" stands for "New Telematics Generation". In the first year of the introduction of the new limousine, the system was not yet available due to delivery problems, so that only the smaller APS 50 navigation system with arrow display could be used as an option. It was only with the introduction of the Model T in the summer of 2003 that could COMAND APS NTG 1 be ordered.
The map was displayed on a 6.5-inch color display in 16: 9 format. The main innovation was, on the one hand, that the computer for the navigation was no longer in the device itself, but on the left side in the trunk. On the other hand, the DVD recorded data from all of Europe for the first time. There were also points of interest , such as petrol stations, restaurants, hotels and post offices nearby. In the glove compartment there was also an aux-in connection for external devices. Analogue, and from 2005 also digital ( DVB-T ) television reception was optionally possible in the stand . The system was offered for the E-Class (W / S 211) at a list price of EUR 2520.00. The manufacturer was the Becker company ; the navigation data came from Navteq .
This device later found its way into the SLK (R 171) and CLS-Class (C 219) models .
In 2003, for the COMAND APS NTG 1 , the Mercedes-Benz portal established whose services were reinstated but after a few years. Using the portal, you could centrally access your own data such as calendar, e-mails or SMS from the COMAND system, PDAs , a PC or even a call center. This service was designed primarily for business people.
COMAND APS NTG 2
With the introduction of the A-Class (169 series) and the facelift of the C-Class (203 series) in 2004, the COMAND APS NTG2 was offered as an option with a very similar system. The decisive change was that the navigation computer was no longer in the trunk, but in the device itself. In addition, the navigation data came from Tele Atlas .
From 2005, this device was also offered as an option for the facelift of the CLK-Class (209 series) as well as the new M-Class (W 164) and the new B-Class (T 245) . Later it was also offered in the R-Class (W 251) in the Vito / Viano (W 639) and in the Sprinter (W 906) .
Just like NTG 1, the devices of this generation were developed and manufactured by Harman / Becker .
COMAND APS NTG 3
A completely newly developed system was introduced with the S-Class (221 series) in 2005. From 2006 it was also used in the new CL-Class (C 216) .
For the first time, it was fully integrated into the interior of the vehicle. The 8-inch color screen in 16: 9 format was no longer in the center console, but much higher up than before and to the right of the instrument cluster and thus in the driver's field of vision. It was operated using a turn-push-slide control positioned in the center armrest, with which all functions could be operated with one hand. In addition to the control panel, there were seven buttons - three for quick menu selection, an ON button, a favorite button (freely programmable), a return button (quick return to the previous menu level) as well as a mute button and also a volume control. For the first time, the system no longer loaded the navigation data from a DVD, but from a 2.5-inch hard drive . This accelerated the route calculation considerably. Additional mass storage devices could be integrated via the PCMCIA interface. The navigation data came from Navteq . The Linguatronic voice control system was available separately.
As an option, two screens integrated into the headrests of the front seats were offered for the rear passengers, with which the entire entertainment program can be called up independently of one another, either via the interior loudspeaker or headphones. A second control panel was installed in the rear center armrest for operation.
Just like NTG 1 and NTG 2, the supplier and developer of this generation is Harman / Becker .
COMAND APS NTG 3.5
For the facelift of the S-Class (W / V 221) in 2009, the hard drive was expanded to 7.2 GB, and the Linguatronic voice control system has been part of the package since then, so that audio, telephone and navigation can be controlled via voice commands. The system is being offered for 2050.00 EUR and is standard on some CL-Class engines (C 216) . Splitview is a new feature (part of the front entertainment package ), with which different content can be displayed on the monitor for the driver and front passenger, with everyone only seeing their own image. It is thus possible for the driver to see the map with the landscape and for the passenger to watch a film.
The supplier of the COMAND APS NTG 3.5 is again Harman / Becker .
COMAND APS NTG 2.5
From April 2008 , the Comand version NTG 2.5 was introduced , initially in the E-Class (W / S 211) and CLS (W219) MoPf (Facelift). There have been some visual changes to the buttons, including a turn-push-slide control, but on the device itself and not in the center armrest. The visual layout of the menu has been adapted to the appearance of the NTG 3 version. From a technical point of view, the navigation computer in the trunk was omitted; Bluetooth functionality was now also available. This version gradually replaced all previous NTG 1 and NTG 2 models in the individual series. You can recognize the Comand 2.5 compared to the 1.0 by the existing slot for an SD card. In addition, the 2.5 is missing the 10 "display keys" in the frame area of the screen.
Alpine Electronics is the supplier of Comand NTG 2.5 .
COMAND APS NTG 4
The NTG 4 version has been available as an optional extra for the C-Class (204 series) since 2007. In addition to the previous 2D view, new features were a so-called bird view version, which allows you to look into the map from the side. In addition, some sights are visible in three dimensions. Traffic congestion is automatically taken into account via TMC Pro and a hard drive is available as memory (6 GB storage space for your own audio files). The main difference between the C-Class (204 series) and the NTG 3 system is that there is no fixed navigation monitor to the right of the instrument cluster, but an electrically fold-out 7-inch color screen. Operation is via a turn-push-slide control. Up to 500 music files in MP3 format can also be stored on the hard drive for navigation data, and there is also a PCMCIA slot. The device is manufactured by Mitsubishi Electric and the navigation data comes from Navteq . The system has also been available as an option in the new GLK-Class (X 204) since 2008 .
From March 2009 to June 2011 the system was offered as an optional extra in the new E-Class (W / S 212) as well as the E-Class Coupé (C 207) and E-Class Cabriolet (A 207) . In contrast to the C-Class (204 series), there is a fixed navigation monitor above the center console. However, the navigation data now come from Teleatlas . The Linguatronic voice control system is now part of Comand . Audio, telephone and navigation can be controlled via voice commands. For the E-Class (W / S 212) the system costs 2560 EUR (net).
From January 2011 to June 2011 the system was offered as an option in the CLS (C 218) .
COMAND Online NTG 4.5
With the facelift for the C-Class (W / S 204) , the NTG 4.5 version has been available as an optional extra since January 2011 under the changed COMAND Online nomenclature at a price of EUR 2580 (net). A fixed navigation monitor is installed to the right of the instrument cluster as in the E-Class (W212) instead of the previously electrically foldable screen. It is a TFT color display with a 17.8 cm display diagonal and a resolution of 800 × 480 pixels. The radio has an RDS / twin tuner and TMC tuner as well as a traffic information decoder (TP / TA). A DVD / CD combination drive and an SD memory card slot (previously PCMCIA slot) are available as drives . The MUSIC REGISTER for compressed audio files in MP3 and WMA format has been enlarged by 4 GB to now 10 GB. A USB and AUX-IN connection is located in the storage compartment of the center console. Another new feature is the Speed Limit Assistant, which uses a camera to detect speed limits, compare them with the map data from the navigation system and display them on the screen.
Another major innovation is the online functionality of the system, i. H. In the stand, the internet could be used via web browser until 05/2020 (web browser is no longer supported). It also includes three services that can also be used while driving: weather service, Google search (any destination can be searched for and then navigated to) as well as routes and destinations (from the Internet, for example via Google Maps , a destination or a route can be set sent directly to the car). Web radio is also possible (TuneIn login is supported, but works without it). For online functionality, the connection via Bluetooth to a mobile phone using the DialUp Networking Profile (DUN) or the Personal Area Network Profile (PAN) is necessary . With the help of the optional Mercedes-Benz telephone module, COMAND Online can be equipped with an integrated UMTS telephone module with a card slot for a SIM card.
The system has been available as an optional extra in the new SLK class (R 172) since March 2011 .
In July 2011, the E-Class (W / S 212, C / A 207) and the CLS (C 218) were converted from the COMAND APS NTG 4, which was previously installed as an option, to COMAND Online NTG 4.5 with the previously described functional extensions. The map material will also be converted from Teleatlas to Navteq . The C-Class Coupé (C 204) and the new series (W / V 166) of the M-Class with the COMAND Online NTG 4.5 have also been available since June 2011 .
With the comprehensive facelift of the interior of the W 463 series , "COMAND Online NTG 4.5" will be installed as standard in the G-Class from June 2012 .
COMAND Online NTG 5
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With the introduction of the S-Class of the 222 series , the NTG 5 version was used for the first time . A characteristic are the two 12.3-inch LCD screens. The supplier of COMAND Online 5 is Harman / Becker .
Since NTG 4.5, the Comand has been equipped with "Live Traffic Information", which processes real-time traffic data from TomTom. However, the Comand NTG 5, at least in Germany, only masters the spatial resolution of the BASt table from TMC , so that actually available traffic reports about traffic jams or road closures outside of the autobahns and federal highways often cannot be displayed.
In the E-Class Mercedes-Benz series 212 , the NTG 5 in version 5.1 was introduced with the 2016 model year (sales release January 15, 2015). With NTG 5.1 the 10 GB music register has been omitted.
With the new 213 series , NTG 5.5 was introduced, which now masters Car2Car communication . For the first time, different display styles have also been implemented for the optional fully digital driver display. So are Classic , Progressive and sports to choose from. Instead of buttons, there are now two touch fields on the steering wheel that can be used to control the system.
MBUX NTG 6
With the introduction of the A-Class of the 177 series , the name COMAND was dropped and replaced by the overarching term MBUX (for Mercedes-Benz User Experience ). MBUX is available in the base and contains, among other things, so-called MBUX basic services such as maintenance, accident and breakdown management as well as remote vehicle diagnosis and telediagnosis. Functions such as CarPlay and Android Auto or navigation are available for an additional charge .
For the first time, a so-called augmented reality function is also available, in which an image recorded by the front camera is expanded with navigation information such as directional arrows and house numbers.
The revised voice control with artificial intelligence is a novelty . This is activated with the activation word “Mercedes”. They can be used to give various commands without having to resort to fixed phrases as before. Even sentences like I am cold are recognized and the temperature is increased. It is also updated with new commands over the radio .
Another new feature is that functions that were not originally included in the vehicle configuration can be upgraded using software. These on-demand services include, for example, digital radio or navigation.
With the EQC , a new menu item ( EQ ) is introduced, which displays charging settings, consumption information and energy flows, among other things. The speech recognition now also recognizes whether the driver or the passenger is speaking. A second microphone is required, which means that retrofitting for the A-Class is not possible.
MBUX is controlled either via the touch fields on the steering wheel, a touchpad with haptic feedback and now also directly via the touchscreen. The previous turn-push-slide actuator is no longer required.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Press release from March 6, 2013 on CeBIT: Mercedes-Benz presents new COMAND Online features
- ↑ Sales release for the modification year 2016 of the E-Class - New model E 220 Bluetec 4matic , accessed on August 16, 2016
- ^ First on-demand equipment from Mercedes-Benz , accessed on July 12, 2018
- ↑ Everything about the EQC electric SUV , accessed on September 15, 2018
Web links
- mercedes.de - Mercedes-Benz multimedia systems: COMAND in the current S-Class
- mercedes.de - Mercedes-Benz TechCenter: COMAND Online