Daimler (Mercedes Benz Tech-Innovation) operates and manages approximately 900 Kubernetes clusters and 3,500 machines worldwide in on-premise data centers. The migration to Cluster API replaced their older deployment method, which consisted of Terraform, custom-developed tools, and Kubernetes operators. This shift to Cluster API indicates a significant advancement in the efficiency and scalability of their Kubernetes usage.
This transition to a more advanced and integrated management platform underscores the importance of Kubernetes within the Daimler TSS IT strategy. By leveraging Kubernetes and migrating to a modern management solution like Cluster API, Daimler TSS can achieve higher automation, better scalability, and more efficient maintenance of their numerous Kubernetes clusters. This, in turn, enhances the company's agility and responsiveness in the development and operation of software solutions by providing a consistent, cloud-agnostic, and scalable environment necessary for operating modern, distributed applications.
Daimler, particularly through their research and development division Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America (MBRDNA), extensively uses Kubernetes to advance innovative automotive technologies and the concept of connected vehicles. The use of Kubernetes at Daimler focuses on several key areas:
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Improvement of Development Processes: By implementing Kubernetes, Daimler was able to accelerate the development process of their software, especially the Mercedes me app. This app provides vehicle owners with a connected driving experience through features like vehicle diagnostics and remote start. The choice of Kubernetes was made because it offers the central codebase and infrastructure that teams need to quickly develop new features.
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Promotion of Connectivity: As part of their CASE strategy (Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric), Daimler aims to develop advanced connected and autonomous vehicles. Kubernetes supports this vision through its ability to manage complex microservices networks required for realizing such advanced vehicle functionalities.
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Efficient Service Networking with HashiCorp Consul: Daimler also uses HashiCorp Consul in conjunction with Kubernetes to ensure efficient service networking and discovery. This combination of technologies enables Daimler to distribute over 200 microservices across multiple Kubernetes clusters. Consul facilitates service discovery and networking, enabling rapid and efficient development.
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Rapid Deployment and Flexibility: With Kubernetes, MBRDNA can respond more quickly to customer feedback and deliver updates based on this feedback. This contributes to the continuous improvement of the user experience and supports Daimler's goal of completely emission-free, connected, and autonomous vehicles.
In summary, the use of Kubernetes at Daimler, and particularly at MBRDNA, paves the way for innovations in the automotive sector by creating an agile development environment that allows for rapid iterations and the integration of early customer feedback. This approach reflects the general industry movement towards more flexible, efficient, and cloud-native technologies necessary to support the next generations of connected and autonomous vehicles.