Mercedes-Benz Celebrates 20 Years in Silicon Valley

In 1995, Mercedes-Benz became the first automotive manufacturer worldwide to open a research and development center in Silicon Valley.

The brand with the three-pointed star had already recognized that not only the IT sector, but also the automotive future was being shaped here.

Silicon Valley, one of the most creative places on earth, is remarkable not only for its spirit of innovation, it also stands for a unique culture of collaboration, believes Mercedes-Benz.

This is how Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America, Inc. (MBRDNA) is constantly pushing forward the networking of driver, vehicle and the outside world, as well as the digitalization of car and mobility, says the company.

[ Taiwan Startups Looking for Partners in Silicon Valley ]

Its developments flow into Daimler AG’s worldwide R&D network. The research center in Sunnyvale now employs more than 240 people.

Mercedes-Benz Celebrates 20 Years in Silicon Valley

“Digitalization is one of the greatest opportunities facing the automotive industry,” says Prof. Dr. Thomas Weber, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development. “Our facility in Silicon Valley plays a significant role in that.”

The MBRDNA headquarters in Sunnyvale is part of the global R&D network and focuses on digitalization within the car sector.

[ Meet Friends of the Future at RMN Foundation ]

Mercedes-Benz has been consistently expanding its presence in Silicon Valley since 1995. The original workforce of 20 employed when the facility in Palo Alto first opened 20 years ago has now grown to more than 240 in Sunnyvale alone.

Besides design, the increase in workforce over time also brought new areas of development for the mobility of the future, such as Autonomous Driving, Advanced User Experience Design and Machine Learning.

Beyond automotive technologies, the Business Innovation team is developing new business models for mobility inspired by social and cultural trends. The best example of this is stated to be the “Boost by Benz” shuttle service, which drives children to sport or other leisure activities after school, thus taking the load off parents.