Photo: Volvo
For a few years now this avalanche of autonomous cars (AV) and systems came crashing down on us. And for all that time, few of us actually realized how self-driving cars will change the world we live in.
For ages it seems, the industry has been talking about how AVs will transform the transportation industry, how it will help congestion go down just as fast as Tesla when Musk tweets a dumb comment, and how it will ultimately lead to a new automotive revolution.
But what will AVs mean for the average Joe?
Volvo plans to answer that question with the 360c concept car, a model it presented on Wednesday as a “first-class private cabin” for long-distance hauls.
It’s common-knowledge that trips in self-driving cars will be boring as hell. Former drivers turned passengers will have little left to do, so companies like Apple are already working on virtual reality devices to chase boredom away.
In the 360c, Volvo is trying a different approach and, instead of taking the mind of the occupant away from the dullness of the drive, in decided to bring the comfort on the occupants’ home into the car. Bed included.
The concept is meant to present four different configurations for AVs: a sleeping environment, mobile office, living room, and entertainment space.
Having a bed to lie on, a table to dine at and an office to work in just might convince some of the people that usually have to resort to airborne commutes to switch to good-old tarmac roads for their trips.
“Domestic air travel sounds great when you buy your ticket, but it really isn’t. The 360c represents what could be a whole new take on the industry,” said Mårten Levenstam, senior vice president of corporate strategy at Volvo Cars.
“The sleeping cabin allows you to enjoy premium comfort and peaceful travel through the night and wake up refreshed at your destination. It could enable us to compete with the world’s leading aircraft makers.”
Unfortunately, Volvo did not say whether the 360c concept car is in any development stage. The carmaker will, however, use the concept as a tool to push for the adoption of a universal standard of communication between autonomous cars.
But what will AVs mean for the average Joe?
Volvo plans to answer that question with the 360c concept car, a model it presented on Wednesday as a “first-class private cabin” for long-distance hauls.
It’s common-knowledge that trips in self-driving cars will be boring as hell. Former drivers turned passengers will have little left to do, so companies like Apple are already working on virtual reality devices to chase boredom away.
In the 360c, Volvo is trying a different approach and, instead of taking the mind of the occupant away from the dullness of the drive, in decided to bring the comfort on the occupants’ home into the car. Bed included.
The concept is meant to present four different configurations for AVs: a sleeping environment, mobile office, living room, and entertainment space.
Having a bed to lie on, a table to dine at and an office to work in just might convince some of the people that usually have to resort to airborne commutes to switch to good-old tarmac roads for their trips.
“Domestic air travel sounds great when you buy your ticket, but it really isn’t. The 360c represents what could be a whole new take on the industry,” said Mårten Levenstam, senior vice president of corporate strategy at Volvo Cars.
“The sleeping cabin allows you to enjoy premium comfort and peaceful travel through the night and wake up refreshed at your destination. It could enable us to compete with the world’s leading aircraft makers.”
Unfortunately, Volvo did not say whether the 360c concept car is in any development stage. The carmaker will, however, use the concept as a tool to push for the adoption of a universal standard of communication between autonomous cars.
Google News