According to Sawyer Merritt, Volkswagen has introduced a redesigned cockpit for its upcoming electric vehicles (EVs), set to launch in 2026, featuring digital displays inspired by the 1980s and significant integration of artificial intelligence for user interaction and safety. The new cockpit will include advanced AI-powered Travel Assist, capable of recognizing red traffic lights and stop signs—enhancing autonomous driving features and safety (Sawyer Merritt, Twitter, Jan 3, 2026). The interface blends retro-inspired visuals with modern AI-driven menu structures and clear information displays, aligning with customer feedback for intuitive controls. For businesses in the AI automotive space, this signals a strong trend toward combining nostalgic design with intelligent interfaces, creating new opportunities for AI-driven infotainment systems, voice recognition, and advanced human-machine interaction technologies.

According to Sawyer Merritt, Mercedes has introduced the all-electric 2027 GLB EV, featuring a water-cooled high-performance supercomputer designed to support future AI-powered functions and regular over-the-air software updates (source: Sawyer Merritt on Twitter, Dec 8, 2025). This supercomputer is central to the vehicle’s advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving capabilities, made possible by eight cameras, five radar sensors, and twelve ultrasonic sensors. The integration of a 39-inch seamless display—the largest in any Mercedes—and AI-driven features highlights the brand’s commitment to next-generation digital cockpit experiences. For the AI industry, this launch demonstrates a significant business opportunity in automotive-grade AI hardware, software, and sensor fusion technologies. As electric vehicles become more intelligent, providers of machine learning algorithms, embedded AI chips, and autonomous driving solutions are poised for growth, especially as carmakers like Mercedes invest in scalable computation and over-the-air update platforms to future-proof their vehicles.