Samsung SmartThings is providing connective technology for Mercedes-Benz’s smart home function that lets drivers and passengers use their vehicle as a control centre for the home.

The commercial launch with the latest Mercedes-Benz S-Class is said to be the first native in-car voice assistant system to be integrated into a smart home platform. It offers drivers and passengers remote connectivity to thousands of intelligent devices made by hundreds of brands supported by the SmartThings open IoT ecosystem.

Founded in 2012, SmartThings is headquartered in Mountain View, California, and operates independently as a wholly owned subsidiary of Korean giant Samsung Electronics. The firm has been committed to working with partners to bring smart functionality and capabilities everywhere consumers want to be. Car-to-home experiences represent yet another step in creating a universal smart home standard while simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers.

By unlocking the power of the SmartThings platform, Mercedes-Benz users will enjoy capabilities when they leave their house or are heading home after work. Drivers and passengers can seamlessly connect and control many aspects of their home environment including lights, locks, thermostats, electric outlets, garage door openers, sensors and home security systems, all through the car’s integrated voice assistant.

Using natural language, such as “Hey Mercedes, did I forget to turn off my lights at home?” to “Hey Mercedes, is anyone at home”, the MBUX voice assistant reduces distraction, allowing drivers to focus on the road in front and know that everything is alright at home. Additionally, passengers in the rear seats can also enjoy the full scope of the smart home integration and interact with their smart homes.

“SmartThings is focused on accelerating the creation of an open IoT ecosystem powered by its technology and is continuously innovating to connect all smart devices with one another,” said Ralf Elias, global vice president at SmartThings. “Powering car-to-home and home-to-car capabilities is the next logical step in that journey, and we’re thrilled to bring SmartThings to an important environment where people spend a lot of their time – their Mercedes-Benz.”

The IoT open platform brings together devices, developers and services to offer an ecosystem of integrated devices. Connecting over ten million homes, 120 certified brands and more than 62 million active users, SmartThings can ease the use of everyday living, allowing the home – and now car – to take care of its owner with a voice command or touch of a button.

From monitoring an elderly loved one to being alerted about a grocery item when driving by a store, SmartThings’ integration with Mercedes-Benz adds to the features of the luxury car.

SmartThings technology will be available in Mercedes-Benz vehicles, starting with the S-Class, beginning in 2021.