Photo: Bentley
It seems settled that cars will soon become automated. All carmakers are going over their heads to come up with all kinds of stuff that we can do while the AI takes care of the actual driving, and we can't say we mind the attention. Even though we'll probably be sleeping or drinking and watching sports most of the time.
Luxury brands, in particular, will take this switch in the way cars are perceived as a great opportunity. If you think about it, the limousine is actually the one vehicle that needs to change the least, as it's already tailored to the needs of its passenger, and not the driver. But knowing how the brands that make this type of cars are, you didn't really expect them to sit by, arms crossed over chest.
Up until now, we've seen seats that can turn and face backward and windshields that can turn into real theater screens, but Bentley is bringing something new to the table. The image released by the British company allegedly shows a new interior for its EXP10 Speed 6 concept, the superb electric luxury coupe that was first shown last year in Geneva.
Two quilted leather couches face each other with one coffee table separating them. We fail to see how all this could fit inside the frame of an EXP10 Speed 6 coupe, but that's really the least of our problems here if we're going to challenge this thing's chances of making it into production anytime soon.
Everything appears to be in order until you notice the floating figure of a suited man, rubbing his hands and ready to serve. This is the virtual holographic butler that Bentley thinks would make a good addition to its future autonomous cars. An AI with a clear visual representation that won't be able to open the door, pour a new drink or do anything real butlers do. It will, however, speak with a grave English accent, and that's all we care about.
"In the future our cars will of course feature yet-to-be-invented connectivity and technologies - perhaps a virtual butler, for example - that enhance the lives of our luxury millennial customers, and I strongly believe that how these technologies are integrated into the cabin will become ever more important," said Stefan Sielaff, Bentley's Director of Design.
We figure the virtual butler will become the new sat-nav voice, with downloadable avatars and voices that can turn this thing into something potentially hilarious. Just imagine having Yoda pop up in the middle of a business meeting to inform you that "new message you have."
Up until now, we've seen seats that can turn and face backward and windshields that can turn into real theater screens, but Bentley is bringing something new to the table. The image released by the British company allegedly shows a new interior for its EXP10 Speed 6 concept, the superb electric luxury coupe that was first shown last year in Geneva.
Two quilted leather couches face each other with one coffee table separating them. We fail to see how all this could fit inside the frame of an EXP10 Speed 6 coupe, but that's really the least of our problems here if we're going to challenge this thing's chances of making it into production anytime soon.
Everything appears to be in order until you notice the floating figure of a suited man, rubbing his hands and ready to serve. This is the virtual holographic butler that Bentley thinks would make a good addition to its future autonomous cars. An AI with a clear visual representation that won't be able to open the door, pour a new drink or do anything real butlers do. It will, however, speak with a grave English accent, and that's all we care about.
"In the future our cars will of course feature yet-to-be-invented connectivity and technologies - perhaps a virtual butler, for example - that enhance the lives of our luxury millennial customers, and I strongly believe that how these technologies are integrated into the cabin will become ever more important," said Stefan Sielaff, Bentley's Director of Design.
We figure the virtual butler will become the new sat-nav voice, with downloadable avatars and voices that can turn this thing into something potentially hilarious. Just imagine having Yoda pop up in the middle of a business meeting to inform you that "new message you have."
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