MBUX 2.0

For the follow-up generation of Mercedes’ infotainment system, MBUX, I remained part of the UI software prototyping team, but my focus gradually shifted toward the instrument cluster rather than the head unit. The instrument cluster in MBUX 2.0 heavily featured 3D content, and some of the higher-end vehicle lines even included a stereoscopic 3D display for the corresponding content. Thanks to my personal and academic experience with 3D tools and game engines, I was able to take on significantly more responsibility and essentially became the lead developer for that component of the broader prototyping framework.

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While I created some early prototypes in Unity, I primarily worked with Rightware Kanzi to build 3D scenes for the different switchable screens that made up the instrument cluster. I also used C++ to write several custom plugins, including ones for dynamic list handling and vehicle data processing, and created custom shader effects using GLSL. As with the previous MBUX project, I was responsible for ensuring my components integrated smoothly with the rest of the system. This often meant testing features on seat bucks and in test vehicles. Real-world testing became increasingly important, as many elements and effects were tied to live vehicle signals and could best be validated in actual driving scenarios. The prototypes were often used to evaluate different concept or design approaches, whether directly by colleagues or in customer studies and management meetings.

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Given my more prominent role, I regularly participated in alignment meetings with concept and design teams to iteratively develop features and correctly integrate visual assets. At times, I also worked directly with engineers responsible for specific vehicle functions to fully understand the underlying data and dynamic behavior, ensuring it was accurately represented on screen. I particularly enjoyed the cross-functional collaboration throughout this project, as well as the increased autonomy and influence I had when developing new features for the prototype.