This is Volvo’s vision of an autonomous auto interior

As autonomous cars take over the tedium of driving from humans, what will passengers do with their extra free time in the auto? Named as such to reflect the average person’s 26-minute daily commute to work (clearly unlike Malaysian standards), the cabin is said to be a work-in-progress that will eventually feature in future Volvo autonomous vehicles.

As Volvo heads towards launching autonomous tech on its next models, it has developed what it calls Concept 26 as an example of what a fully autonomous vehicle journey will be like for commuters.

The point of the concept is to show that a car’s interior can be as versatile as the owner, moving between autonomy and piloted driving quickly, efficiently and, perhaps most importantly, using a great deal of current technology. The concept will come in three modes, Drive, Create and Relax. Whatever the mode, passengers are treated to a plush Scandinavian decor with patented cradling seats, with wood and leather trimmings, and a retractable steering wheel for the driver for maximum space and comfort. Volvo equipped the concept with a unique driver’s seat that has Drive, Create, and Relax modes. “By providing drivers the choice of when to drive or delegate driving, we are able to retain the love and freedom of the open road while fixing the broken commute”.

Potentially. ‘Our new Scalable Product Architecture means we can readily bring this from concept to reality, ‘ says Peter Mertens, Volvo’s r&d vice president. Finally, Drive minimizes distractions and lets the driver take the wheel.

A sideview of the Volvo Concept 26 while in “Relax Mode” where the seats recline with footrests.

“Driving can still be fun and liberating on the right day and on the right road, but a few parts of driving, notably the daily commute in many metro areas, is stressful, frustrating”, explains Anders Tylman-Mikiewicz, the general manager of the Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center, in a statement.

One hundred preselected customers are scheduled to take delivery of an experimental autonomous Volvo in 2017.