Mercedes-Benz has filed two patents that use in-car microphones and cameras to monitor drivers while they sing, analyzing their emotional state to adjust the vehicle’s response. The system could turn down the music, play a specific song, or even assist with pitch correction.
This comes hot on the heels of Stellantis patenting a system for starting a car engine with a finger snap—proving that it’s silly season in patent land. And no, it’s not April 1—we checked.
Singing Meets Smart Tech
The first patent describes a system using in-car microphones and cameras that detect when you sing in the car. Listening to the song you sing and looking at your facial expressions, it can then determine your emotional state and state of mind, and initiate actions to suit it, like playing the song you’re singing on the audio system, turning down the volume, adjusting the climate control for a more conducive atmosphere, and more. It can identify and analyze these parameters to more accurately detect what you’re singing and how you’re feeling about it:
- Audio signals
- Frequencies
- Rhythms
- Lip movement
A second, related patent takes things further by essentially turning your car into a personal vocal coach. By analyzing your singing on a technical level, the system detects whether you’re singing off-key or out of sync. It can then provide haptic or visual cues to correct your timing and pitch. The automatic pitch correction helps you find the note and stick to the tune.
Mercedes-Benz’s Singing Coach on Wheels
Mercedes-Benz’s latest patents are designed to enhance the in-car experience for music-loving drivers and passengers. By detecting when someone is singing and analyzing their mood, the system can adjust settings for a more enjoyable ride—while also offering pitch and timing correction for aspiring vocalists.
Whether this feature will see widespread adoption remains to be seen, but it’s fascinating to see how far Mercedes is willing to go to refine the in-car atmosphere. Unfortunately, Mercedes doesn’t provide a version suitable for the shower.
