Built in 'selfie and video camera' - why?

[Ari]

The new Mercedes E Class is fitted with a built in 'selfie and video camera'.

You can see it demonstrated in the Mercedes official promotional video here at 1 min 50 secs

https://youtu.be/kSqEvA4pPqM?si=w9l37uwJVncGOcdu&a...

I'm trying to think when the last time I was driving my car and thought 'if only it could take a photo or video of me doing this' was. Why (and how) would anyone use this?

[7 5 7]

Wow! Is this what sells cars these days? We are doomed! They really have ran out of ideas haven't they

[Gordon Hill]

Sign of the times, narcissism everywhere.

[LimaDelta]

I suppose it's a logical extension of the Carplay app. If it stops people from reaching for their phones while driving, then why not. Not something I would ever consider necessary on a car (or in life for that matter), but there are plenty who seem unable to perform the most basic acts without producing video evidence of said act.

[Ezra]

Modern version of vanity mirror in sun visor.

[55palfers]

Karl Benz must be spinning in his grave.

[Lo-Fi]

I've got a dashcam with rearview tucked behind the mirror; I could just pop my head in shot if I want to capture my own mug. By why the feck would I want to?

[thecremeegg]

It's for video calls obviously. I mean it's not necessary, but I can't say I'm surprised

[Megaflow]

Stop.



Stop the planet.



I want off...

[Andy86GT]

The new X1 also has this, thankfully if you spec a sunroof it's deleted.

[Hill92]

Secondary role for Driver Monitoring System/security camera?

[MitchT]

I could almost understand this on a smaller car driven by a younger person, but an E Class?

[CheesecakeRunner]

Hill92 said:

Secondary role for Driver Monitoring System/security camera?

Quite likely that’s its primary role. But “selfie cam” markets better than “we’re spying on you”.

[AlexGSi2000]

[Boleros]

Ari said:

I'm trying to think when the last time I was driving my car and thought 'if only it could take a photo or video of me doing this' was. Why (and how) would anyone use this?

And yet I bet that if you had one as a rental you'd use it, for funsies.

[AlexRS2782]

Judging by the current TV ad for the electric Mini Countryman it looks like that can be specced with the same "selfie" upgrade

[ambuletz]

CheesecakeRunner said:

Hill92 said:

Secondary role for Driver Monitoring System/security camera?

Quite likely that’s its primary role. But “selfie cam” markets better than “we’re spying on you”.

that's exactly that. no doubt if it's an option you'd only be able to get it as part of one of those safety systems/packs which many people would find boring. calling it a selfie & video camera and not a DMS will appeal to more people.

[Xenoous]

This is sad. It's obvious main function is something very different which would essentially boil down to spying, scattered with a little sprinkle of vanity.

A sad time. What have cars become

[mwstewart]

It dresses up a precursor to something sinister as a gimmick for the keeping up with the jones' types

[Ari]

MitchT said:

I could almost understand this on a smaller car driven by a younger person, but an E Class?

This is what struck me. On a MINI or a Fiat 500 or something, I could sort of maybe see it, but is the average E Class driver really so obsessed with selfies that she can't even drive her car without snapping off a few?

I was also slightly amused that in the video she was shown in the passenger seat for the selfies section. Yeah, that's definitely going to be for passenger only use!