Latest news with #Mercedes-branded
WIRED
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- WIRED
The Mercedes-Branded F1 Electric Bike Looks Beautiful but Is So, So Heavy
As we reported last week, even electric-auto maker Rivian is getting in on that sweet, sweet electric bike action. And at first glance, the N+ Bikes Mercedes-AMG F1 electric bike looks to be another bike in a continuing trend of auto manufacturers making and selling much smaller motor-powered vehicles. But unlike Ford's electric bike, this specific class II ebike isn't made by Mercedes. Even if it has the iconic three-pointed star on the frame (and it is an officially licensed product of Mercedes AMC Petronas Formula One Team), it's designed and manufactured by N+ Bikes, based out of California. The aluminum, fully rigid frame has a sleek, race-car appeal. Its matte black color pops with well-placed Petronas green (aka turquoise) highlights in the interior of the fork and chain stays, a nod to Formula One fans. The bike's cockpit looks like a miniature Mercedes dashboard, complete with two retro speedometers—one for speed and the other for watts. The former tops out at 60 mph, despite the fact that the motor legally has to cut out when speeds reach 20 mph. Still, if you're a Mercedes fan, this will probably matter to you that the bike is Mercedes-branded, not Mercedes-made. Photograph: N+ Bikes Under the Hood What about the stats? E-spec-wise, the bike has a powerful motor for a commuter, 750 watts, that lives in the rear-wheel hub and provides four modes of power from Normal to Race. The 48-volt battery lives in the down tube and offers an advertised range of 70 miles. There's space to store an additional 48-volt battery (sold separately) in the very thick and futuristic-looking seat post. Neither of the batteries are easily removable, making it a challenging bike to charge from the office or to use in a cold-weather destination, where batteries often need to be brought inside. Photograph: Stephanie Pearson
Express Tribune
05-03-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Mercedes design chief predicts AI will replace car designers in 10 years
Listen to article Mercedes-Benz's Chief of Design, Gorden Wagener, has stated that artificial intelligence (AI) will likely replace human designers within the next decade, reshaping the automotive design landscape. While acknowledging that the technology is not yet at its full potential, Wagener highlighted the rapid advancements in AI and its increasing role in design processes at Mercedes-Benz. In an interview, Wagener shared that although AI-generated designs are still in their infancy, with a majority falling short of standards, a small percentage already meets high expectations. He stressed that AI's capabilities are improving daily, making it a crucial tool for designers in the future. 'We work with AI now,' Wagener explained. 'You get 99 percent of c**p with AI and sheer quantity. That's the biggest problem – sorting out the good stuff from the bad. But you get one percent of good stuff, and we keep learning.' Wagener went on to predict that in the next 10 years, the majority of design work in the automotive industry will be handled by AI, ultimately rendering human designers obsolete. 'AI will drastically change the way we design. I think in 10 years, maybe, most of design will be done by AI, and it will make designers obsolete,' he remarked. He also joked that AI would replace him at Mercedes-Benz, adding, 'My successor will be a machine, and it will be much cheaper than my salary.' Although Wagener envisions a future where AI dominates design, he is not alone in embracing the technology. Automakers like General Motors and Tesla are already incorporating AI into their design processes, with Tesla utilising AI to create structural components and optimise vehicle aesthetics. Mercedes-Benz has also used AI for design work in its luxury real estate developments, such as its Miami and Dubai projects. In Miami, Mercedes-Benz has partnered with JDS Development Group and architectural firm SHoP Architects for its first North American real estate venture, Mercedes-Benz Places. The 67-story tower blends the brand's design philosophy with luxury living, offering residences, a hotel, office spaces, and unique Mercedes-branded amenities. The tower's design, including elements like silver exteriors and curved balconies, is heavily inspired by Mercedes-Benz's automotive aesthetics. Despite the potential of AI, there are contrasting views within the industry. While Wagener envisions a future dominated by AI, other designers, like Maserati's Klaus Busse, remain cautious. Busse has stated that AI is a useful tool but is not a complete solution, as it merely mirrors existing designs rather than innovating for the future.
