Just when you thought you could avoid another Teams meeting because you “will be stuck in traffic”, Microsoft and Mercedes-Benz have announced they’ve joined forces so drivers can join Microsoft Teams meetings directly from their vehicle’s infotainment system – whilst driving.
This reportedly makes Mercedes-Benz the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to enable in-car camera use when the vehicle is in motion without distracting the driver with any content. The integration of Microsoft Intune into MB.OS will allow secure, enterprise-compliant access to business accounts for productivity applications.
The feature will be available first in the 2026 Mercedes-Benz CLA, an all-electric compact saloon. With Microsoft putting significant focus on becoming an AI platform, we can most likely expect more partnerships with car makers, much like we’ve seen with Apple’s CarPlay.
But is Mercedes-Benz taking on a considerable risk so early in AI’s growth trajectory and amid the lack of AI privacy and security regulations?
Ola Källenius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Mercedes-Benz Group AG, described his test drive of the new feature to alleviate any doubts over safety: “Satya Nadella and I recently jumped on a quick video call – but this one was a bit different. I was sitting in the all-new CLA the entire time! Thanks to our latest collaboration with Microsoft, Mercedes-Benz is setting a new benchmark for in-car productivity.”
He continued: “With the enhanced Meetings app for Microsoft Teams, I joined the call using the built-in camera. No video distraction as soon as the car is moving, though. We’ve also natively integrated Microsoft Intune into MB.OS, making Mercedes-Benz the first OEM to bring enterprise-grade security standards to the car. We’re also working on bringing Microsoft 365 Copilot into the car. All these features will be available in MB.OS-powered vehicles starting with the new CLA this summer. The future of work is shifting gears.”
A new dawn for productivity or a motorway to hell?
This feature promises to transform congested motorways into efficient mobile workspaces. Yet not everyone is convinced that workers and business owners need another reason not to log off from work. Whispers of disquiet have already begun to ripple through online communities. The immediate question on many lips: Is this truly a step forward for flexibility, or a perilous swerve into a hyper-connected dystopia?
Reddit’s r/sysadmin community was quick to weigh in. User webguynd offered a visceral reaction:
I threw up a little. Focus on driving folks, do not take Teams meetings in your car.
This sentiment, whilst perhaps dramatic, highlights the core safety concerns that immediately spring to mind when envisioning critical business discussions being conducted at 70 mph.
Harry Adamson, a Senior Software Developer at Imperial Civil Enforcement Solutions Limited, commented sarcastically on Källenius’ LinkedIn post: “Looking forward to this! I already love cutting other drivers up on roundabouts, but knowing that I can be productive and helping out stakeholders whilst doing so really takes this to the next level. Can’t wait to see what the future holds for in-car office suite access!”
Another Reddit user, “AdeptFelix,” offered a more humorous yet equally pointed observation:
I don’t think I want to be live-streaming the things I say about other drivers to co-workers.
Road rage on air?
This raises the fascinating, if somewhat risky, prospect of accidental “hot mic” moments revealing the unvarnished reality of road rage to unsuspecting colleagues and clients.
According to Mercedes:
Camera use complies with the laws of each country and has been approved for use whilst the vehicle is in motion. The meeting video stream turns off automatically as soon as the camera is activated to prevent driver distraction. Consequently, any shared screens or slides in the meeting are not visible to the driver – and the camera can be turned off at any time.
The updated Meetings for Teams app provides a new dashboard with a “Next Meetings” function for upcoming appointments and enables quick access to frequent contacts. There’s also an expanded chat function that facilitates reading and writing messages. Integration of voice control for text input and the ability to jump directly from the calendar into a Teams meeting provide a seamless user experience.
Mercedes-Benz and Microsoft are also integrating Microsoft 365 Copilot into the latest vehicles. This will be one of the world’s first applications of its kind in a car and will help users prepare for upcoming meetings with advanced AI assistance.
Using voice prompts, drivers can summarise emails, retrieve or query client preferences and details, and manage daily tasks reportedly without distraction.
The elephant in the executive saloon: accessibility and elitism
Perhaps the most pointed critique revolves around the implicit elitism of this new “productivity paradise.” This cutting-edge feature is currently exclusive to those who can afford the considerable investment in a modern Mercedes-Benz vehicle.
For the vast majority of freelancers navigating public transport, shared workspaces, or older, less digitally-equipped vehicles, this revolutionary leap in mobile productivity remains firmly out of reach.
Is this, then, a true democratisation of the workspace, or merely another perk for the privileged few (for now)?
Whilst the allure of increased productivity in the car is undeniably strong for some, one must ponder whether the relentless pursuit of peak efficiency is worth the risk. After all, what good is a productive meeting if you don’t arrive at your destination in one piece?
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