What is the COMAND® Touchpad Controller & How Does it Work?

One of the best technologies to come from auto manufacturers is the Mercedes-Benz COMAND® touchpad. This technology offers a number of functions for drivers, all integrated in one controller. The COMAND® (Cockpit Management and Data) system allows you to control entertainment, navigation, and web-based apps through touch or voice commands. Here are some more details about what makes this technology the best around.

App Integration

You use a number of apps on your smartphone or other mobile device daily. However, when you get in the car it can be difficult to use these same apps, even when they’re beneficial to your drive. COMAND® has integrated a number of apps to help you on your daily commute, date night, or during any other drive.

Some of the integrated apps include entertainment apps such as Pandora, social apps like Facebook, and even apps to help you find the best spots to hit on a vacation, like Yelp. Having these apps at your fingertips makes everything a little easier. You don’t have to fumble with your phone to pull up your favorite apps, which makes your driving safer. Having all your apps available in one spot is one of the many ways that COMAND® improves the convenience of your drive.

Beautiful Display

The graphic quality of the COMAND® display is remarkable. The screen is an 8.4-inch display with 960 x 540-pixel resolution, quality which is the digital equivalent of Mercedes-Benz styling — luxurious and high-class. Because of the high resolution, text is easy to read, information displays beautifully, and even extremely detailed images are shown properly.

The display screen allows both the driver and front passenger to easily see what’s being displayed. This is helpful when using the variety of apps or checking out the cutaways of the powertrain system.

Since the display screen is high in the dash, you don’t have to worry about craning your neck or awkward viewing angles. It’s perfectly placed to allow the driver to easily see what’s going on without compromising his driving.

All the menus on the display are color, and those that are associated with the car itself have illustrated images. The menus are animated as well, giving you all the information you need quickly and easily.

Heads Up Display

In addition to the console display, the COMAND® system supports a heads up display that shows a variety of important driving information on a virtual screen which appears to hover over the car’s hood. These displays are positioned in a way that allow you to view what you need while not interfering with your line of sight out of the vehicle. You can turn the heads up display on or off with a button that is to the side of the dash.

This heads up display is adjustable, so you can modify the position, brightness, and other factors to your preference. Keep in mind that this display may be affected by outside factors, such as direct sunlight.

Intuitive Touchpad

One of the best things about the COMAND® system is that it uses an intuitive touchpad. This pad is located in the center console, allowing you to use it easily where your hand normally rests. The touchpad allows for multiple input options, including the ability to actually write by drawing letters or numbers on the screen itself. You can also use finger gestures to get through menus and maps. The touchpad works just like a normal touch screen, but because it’s a separate device, you don’t have to worry about fingerprints on the display screen.

Personalized Settings

Because each person drives differently, the menus and settings of COMAND® can be personalized, so that everything you use is where you want it, with the features you use the most on easy-access screens.

Additional Inputs

Though the touchpad is convenient, there are a number of other inputs you can use for your information system. There are several hard buttons at the top of the touchpad that open specific menus and options. These include radio, navigation, telephone, and media.

On your steering wheel, you’ll find a number of input buttons as well. You can control the volume of the radio, navigate through menus, and even take calls with the touch of a steering wheel button.

If you’re looking for the absolute best in information technology in your vehicle, consider a Mercedes-Benz with COMAND®. You’ll be impressed by the variety of information and entertainment options available.