Let's talk Mercedes

All over the world, many people are increasingly dissatisfied with their jobs. They are quietly quitting. And they are actually quitting. But what if the future of work offered much more room for individual choice? What if it were full of opportunities? In the fifth episode of Future Dimensions, Ricardia Bramley explores what lies ahead for employees out there. Together with futurist Alexandra Levit and journalistic entrepreneur Felix Zeltner, she examines the possible cures for our ailing system of work. However, simply reducing the number of working hours, facilitating remote work arrangements or even working in the Metaverse won't be enough. Fortunately, there is a silver lining. Tune in to find out what – or rather, who – will help change the world of work for the better. Are you looking for additional insights into exciting visions? Explore our website: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/art-and-culture/zeitgeist/mercedes-benz-podcast Would you like to give feedback on the podcast, ask questions or make comments? Feel free to like and share your thoughts about “Future Dimensions” via podcast@mercedes-benz.com.

This year, Ricardia has already embarked on a journey through the luxury universe, ventured a look into the future of travel, visited pioneers who showed her how we could build houses from mushrooms and learned how fiction and reality inspire one another. So far, so amazing – but what “Future Dimensions” will our host explore in 2023? We'll spare you the spoilers for now, but we promise that “Future Dimensions” will be back soon. We've got many more exciting looks into the future in store to inspire you - so stay tuned! For the time being – and to wrap up 2022 – Ricardia just wants to say “thank you” to all the futurists and forward-thinkers who have accompanied her first steps into more beautiful tomorrows. So, feel free to tell her what you loved (and didn't love!) most about our first four episodes. Are you looking for additional insights into exciting visions? Explore our website now: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/art-and-culture/zeitgeist/mercedes-benz-podcast Do you want to give feedback on the podcast, ask questions or make remarks? Feel free to like and share your thoughts about “Future Dimensions” via podcasts@mercedes-benz.com.

What came first – space stories from the 1990s or the smartphone? The fourth episode of the "Future Dimensions" feature podcast by Mercedes-Benz demonstrates how fiction and reality consistently inspire one another. Ricardia talks to architect and film director Liam Young about why fictional worlds are also a reflection of our society. She asks design professor Dennis Cheatham how sci-fi technology is shaping our everyday lives. Learns from science fiction professor Lisa Yaszek why we should all dream of a better world, even in challenging times. And takes a deep dive into the fascination, power and responsibility of fictional stories with Jon Landau – the legendary producer of the Avatar films. Are you looking for additional insights into exciting visions? Explore our website now: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/art-and-culture/zeitgeist/mercedes-benz-podcast

Houses made of mushrooms and textiles grown organically? The third episode of "Future Dimensions" focuses on how we can harness the power of innovative materials to change the way we deal with our resources. As part of the episode, Ricardia asks founder Caroline Till to tell her about the whole range of new materials. She visits a lab where a team of architects around Jonathan Dessi-Olive is using fungal cultures to create unexpected things. And talks to designer and entrepreneur Maurizio Montalti about how novel materials are driving innovation and enabling designers to think in entirely new dimensions. Are you looking for additional insights into exciting visions? Explore our website now: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/art-and-culture/zeitgeist/mercedes-benz-podcast

In the second episode of "Future Dimensions", everything revolves around the fascination of travel – and a future in which boarding a spaceship to start your holidays will be just as normal as taking a plane. To understand why humans have been travelling for millennia, our host Ricardia talks to philosopher Emily Thomas, who has dedicated her research to travel. However, as preferences differ from culture to culture, our host also looks at the trends and differences in travel that are currently moving Asia with Chinese expert Arnold Ma. Together with futurologist Bugge Holm Hansen, she also ventures a look into the distant future – and muses whether road trips could become space trips in a matter of decades. Are you looking for additional insights into our visions, guests and podcast? Explore our website now: https://www.mercedes-benz.com/en/art-and-culture/zeitgeist/mercedes-benz-podcast--future-dimensions

For our podcast's premiere, our host Ricardia embarks on a journey through the luxury universe – and explores how the groundwork for a future in which luxury and sustainability become one is already in the making. Together with brand consultant Antonio Paraiso and marketing professor Dr Wided Batat, Ricardia discoversfinds out why luxury goods excite us so much and move us emotionally. She talks to designer Sofia Ilmonen and vintage fashion entrepreneur Dounia Wone about how the fashion industry is becoming more sustainable. To wrap up the episode, she is joined bydiscusses with futurologist Daria Krivonos and luxury researcher Dr Benjamin Berghaus to discuss how the consumption of luxury goods is already changing – and why every company will have to act sustainably in future.

Have you thought about the future lately? I mean... what if we took vacations in space, lived in houses grown from mushrooms, found ways to make luxury fully sustainable … and turn sci-fi into reality? With "Future Dimensions", we at Mercedes-Benz invite you to do just that – presenting you bold visions of the future that will move our society in the years to come: In each episode, our host Ricardia Bramley explores a utopia that seems beyond belief today. During her journey, she screens megatrends and reveals interesting facts. Above all, however, Ricardia lets forward thinkers from all over the world and across all disciplines have their say. Visionaries who are already working around the world today to make our future dimensions a reality– supported by diverse sound worlds and exciting storytelling. After all, shaping the future always starts with a vision.

Instantly recognisable, unforgettable, and highly performant – these are the generic attributes of Mercedes-Benz' ever-popular SL. After a nearly 70-year-long history, the new AMG roadster is now set to square the circle of luxury, design, and performance once again. However, what is the intergenerational essence of an automotive icon that was once a pure racer, then turned into a unique roadster and now faces the era of electric mobility? To explore the many facets of this question, our host Yasmine Blair meets with Susie Wolff, former professional racing driver and Team Principal of Formula E's Venturi Racing, and Robert Lešnik, Director of Exterior Design at Mercedes-Benz. In the latest episode of Let's talk Mercedes – the Mercedes-Benz podcast – they discuss the essential traits of the reborn star's exterior design, look back at its most legendary iterations, share their personal two cents about the electrified future of the SL, and explore what it takes to prevail as a woman in the still male-dominated domain that is motorsports. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Of all the science-fiction clichés, brain-computer-interfaces – or BCIs – might be among the most fascinating. In recent years, neuroscientists have taken the first steps towards letting external devices and the human brain communicate. While medical applications are surely the focus of making use of BCIs, research has also started at Mercedes-Benz. After all, the future of driving offers some mind-blowing areas for the application of this futuristic technology. The good news is: This leap won't involve a chip under your skin. On the contrary: Someday, BCIs could free your body from having to physically interact with your car – and make driving safer than ever before. Until that time comes, Maxine Benz, Future Research expert at Mercedes-Benz, and Sid Kouider, neuroscientist and founder of NextMind, explain the fundamental technological hurdles that still need to be overcome – and why, with the right technical breakthroughs, mental symbiosis with your vehicle may not be decades away. In the latest episode of Let's talk Mercedes – the Mercedes-Benz podcast – they talk with host Yasmine Blair about the technology's different operating principles, its unique virtues for future mobility, and when we can expect to start our favorite podcast in the car simply with the power of our minds. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

In times of progressive climate change, customers, investors, and politicians expect one thing above all from automotive players: building convincing products that can boost the breakthrough of electromobility. But the need for rare earths for electric cars puts the spotlight on an important ethical issue: the risk that the valuable raw materials are mined under questionable or sometimes even precarious working conditions in the countries of origin. This leaves many companies with a major challenge to address: how can they drive zero-emission mobility while ensuring that human rights are respected along the supply chain? Our moderator Yasmine Blair met two thought leaders who are decisively tackling this highly complex issue: Renata Jungo Brüngger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Integrity and Legal Affairs, and Phil Bloomer, Executive Director of the Business and Human Rights Resource Centre. In the new episode of Let's talk Mercedes – the Mercedes-Benz Podcast – they discuss strategies to overcome issues and act responsibly towards society and the environment. They also talk about alternatives to cobalt and lithium – and explain why companies and external experts need to work together to make a sustainable supply chain for the automotive industry a reality. Visit us on Mercedes me media: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

For decades, experts have been racking their brains over autonomous driving and the extra comforts that it brings. Within the last few years, they have made tremendous progress and are busy developing the most advanced technologies and ever-smarter A.I. solutions for autonomous driving. But what about safety? Is today's driverless technology really able to deliver what the is being promised? And if not, when will we then witness its breakthrough? To find answers, our host Yasmine Blair met two top experts in their fields: Sebastian Thrun, CEO of Kitty Hawk Corporation and chairman and co-founder of Udacity, and Martin Hart, Director Driver Assistance Systems & Active Safety a Mercedes-Benz. In the latest episode of Let's Talk Mercedes – the Mercedes-Benz podcast – they'll talk about the fine lines between the levels of automated driving and pinpoint the roadblocks to its practical introduction. They'll also discuss their personal visions of an automated future and ponder how long it might take to convince someone to watch a movie behind the wheel. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Within the last 50 years, professional golf has seen a fundamental change in physicality, professionalism and technique. But are there ways to cope with this drastic development, perhaps by constantly reinventing yourself as an athlete and staying at the top of the scorecard over several decades? Our host, Yasmine Blair, asked a true legend who has proven that age doesn't have to impact competitiveness: Bernhard Langer. The German golf star and Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador has witnessed first-hand his art's evolution for more than 40 years. In the latest episode of “Let's Talk Mercedes” – the Mercedes-Benz podcast – the gentleman athlete talks about his trophy-packed career, shares his personal secrets for how to keep pace with his younger rivals and reminisces about the exceptional story of how a now 63-year-old father of four remains under par in every sense. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

When we hear the term aerodynamics, the first thing that might pop-up in our minds are airplanes. However, the science of moving air hitting solid objects is not only decisive for aerial vehicles but also for the ones on the road. So, for the latest episode of “Let's Talk Mercedes” – the Mercedes-Benz podcast – our host, Yasmine Blair, gets to the heart of automotive aerodynamics with two renowned experts: Mercedes-Benz' Head of Aerodynamics and Wind Tunnel, Teddy Woll, and Andreas Wagner, Chair of Automotive Engineering at the University of Stuttgart, Germany. During their enchanting discussion, Yasmine learnt about penguins as the paragons of aerodynamics, pushing the boundaries of the past and asking the pivotal question about streamlining cars: Do you prefer it fast or efficient? Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

The C-Class is a phenomenon. Originating from the “Baby Benz” 40 years ago, it has evolved to Mercedes-Benz’ most successful model of the last decades. In early 2021, the latest generation of the C-Class celebrated its digital world premiere – a special day for both Christian Früh, Chief Engineer C-Class, and Raziz Rehan, CEO of the YouTube car show “Remove Before Race”. For the latest episode of “Let’s Talk Mercedes” – the Mercedes-Benz podcast – our host Yasmine Blair invited them both to share their personal takes on the C-Class and gets to the bottom of what it takes to reimagine and develop a fresh iteration of an iconic series. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Artificial Intelligence has long grown beyond sci-fi flicks and mere Silicon Valley visions. New breakthroughs in machine learning technologies, such as neural networks, have transformed our daily lives for good and brought us amazing technologies that recognize your voice, make your life smarter and even improve your driving experience. But while smart automotive technologies like Mercedes-Benz’ MBUX infotainment system accelerate the evolution of A.I, new challenges have arisen. So, in the latest episode of “Let’s talk Mercedes” – the Mercedes-Benz Podcast – our host, Yasmine Blair, talks with Claire Delaunay, Vice President of Engineering at NVIDIA, and Georges Massing, Vice President Digital Vehicle & Mobility at Mercedes-Benz Research & Development, about common misunderstandings of what the technology is capable of, the future of artificial intelligence and NVIDIA’s and Mercedes-Benz’ exchange of knowledge that contributed to creating the impressive MBUX Hyperscreen. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Imagine a world where taking a drive could also mean stepping into a total Esports experience, testing your gaming skills online against millions of other players worldwide. Thanks to the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and League of Legends creators Riot Games, the fantasy of immersive in-car gaming could become reality sooner than you think. In the latest episode of Let’s talk Mercedes, the Mercedes-Benz podcast, we take a look into the vision behind the partnership, how Mercedes-Benz is engaging with a whole new audience and the future of Esports, as show host Sarah Elsser talks to Naz Aletaha, Head of Global Esports Partnerships Riot Games and Natanael Sijanta, Director Global Marketing Communications Mercedes-Benz AG.

Did you know it’s scientifically proven that you can’t feel scared if you’re singing? Such is the impact of sound and the emotions it triggers in us. In the latest episode of Let’s Talk Mercedes, the Mercedes-Benz podcast, show host Sarah Elsser meets two men whose passion for sound is central to their lives; Mercedes-Benz sound designer Thomas Küppers, and Felix Jaehn, superstar DJ, music producer and Mercedes-Benz brand ambassador. Felix gives us an insight into his daily routine and reveals the creative journey his biggest songs made from humble bedroom beginnings to worldwide dance anthems. For Thomas, the creative process is different but no less important as he explains the challenges faced in developing a vehicle’s everyday sounds. Just think of the sound the indicator makes when you want to turn a corner; it’s familiar, and yet slightly different in each model. But how do you continue to engineer the perfect sound experience, when the growth in e-mobility means vehicles are quieter than ever?

How does the factory of the future look like today? You do not need to watch a science fiction movie to answer that. The factory of the future is flexible, digital, efficient and sustainable. And it is already reality! For the development of the newly opened Factory 56, Mercedes-Benz put their employees at the center and involved them from the very beginning. In the latest episode of Let’s Talk Mercedes, podcast host Sarah Elsser meets Jörg Burzer, Member of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz AG, responsible for Production and Supply Chain Management; and Ulrike Graze, Head of S-Class assembly, Sindelfingen. They talk about how sustainability, cost efficiency and production quality can be connected and why the Factory 56 concept is the blueprint for the global Mercedes-Benz Cars production network. Looking for more information on the new S-Class? Head over to our me Media platform: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/s-class Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Can a car be relaxing? You might not think so but yes – the new S-Class sure is. Experts from a wide range of fields have worked together to achieve just that. High-tech, comfort, individual ergonomics and a special selection of materials ensure a new level of luxury and well-being. In the latest episode of Let’s Talk Mercedes, podcast host Sarah Elsser meets Gudrun Schönherr, Project Lead Future Fit & Health, and Belinda Günther, Head of Color & Trim. They talk about how Mercedes-Benz has turned the new S-Class into a wellness oasis on four wheels and why science played a big role – Let’s talk Mercedes!

How are challenges in the development of new safety features addressed? And did Mercedes-Benz manage to top the previous level of comfort in the new S-Class? In the latest episode of the Mercedes-Benz podcast "Let's talk Mercedes" we talk about the pioneering safety features of the new S-Class. We want to know: How does the S-Class live up to its claim to be one of the best cars in the world? Our guests in the second of three special episodes on the new S-Class are the Mercedes-Benz experts Christoph von Hugo, Senior Manager for Active Safety, and Oliver Thöne, Program Director of the S-Class. Looking for more information on the new S-Class? For more information please head over to our me Media platform: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/s-class Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

The first of three special episodes all about the new S-Class will give you deep dive behind the scenes into the development of the new MBUX. The latest version brings new, intuitive functions that turn the new S-Class into the ultimate digital car with access to a personal “data highway”. In the latest episode of Let’s Talk Mercedes, the Mercedes-Benz podcast, show host Sarah Elsser talks to two Mercedes-Benz experts, Maxi Ulrike Vogel, responsible for UI Portfolio Management and Christian Mirea, UX Designer. They give deep insights into the behind-the-scenes work and the collaboration between design and technology teams to create the new MBUX. Looking for more information on the new S-Class and the latest MBUX? For more information please head over to our me Media platform: https://media.mercedes-benz.com/s-class Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Jan Frodeno must challenge his own mental and physical limits every day in order to sustain his level of competitiveness as one of the world’s best triathletes. In the latest episode of Let’s Talk Mercedes, the Mercedes-Benz podcast, show host Sarah Elsser meets this exceptional athlete and brand ambassador of Mercedes-Benz and talks to him about his personal motivation and the ups and downs of his career and about aerodynamics, following the 2019 experiment in Mercedes-Benz's modern wind tunnel in Sindelfingen ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHPMJZOLS8Y&feature=emb_title ). Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

Show host Sarah Elsser meets Sebastian Vesper, who heads Medienfachverlag Oberauer’s Berlin office and used to be chief editor of the specialist journal PR report for more than ten years, and Katja Bott, Head of Global Communications at Mercedes-Benz Cars and Vans. The three talk about the lessons learned from digital product presentations, how the pandemic has affected the relationship between journalists and PR experts, and to what degree corporate publishing activities rivals the work of journalists. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes

The Mercedes-Benz podcast starts with a report on the current situation in China. The last few weeks have been a challenge for Arno van der Merwe, President and CEO of Beijing Benz Automotive Co. (BBAC), and his team. From him, we learn firsthand about the team spirit with which the team in China has managed to get production up and running after the outbreak of COVID-19. Visit us on Mercedes me Media: http://media.mercedes-benz.com/letstalkmercedes