Imagine a fully mobile work space that not only made your commute hassle free, but let you actually work or relax while going from point A to point B. Imagine if this fully functional work space could eventually be offered by employers or even on subscription basis.
Sounds too good to be true, right? Well not for Volvo Cars who’s mission makes the automotive experience easier and more enjoyable for drivers and passengers alike. Much of this can attributed to their overall design approach, putting the human before any technology advances or upgrades- ensuring it’s executed in a way to positively influence an experience, rather than merely stay up-to-date for the sake of well, staying up-to-date.
Volvo Cars released the 360c Autonomous Concept earlier this fall as a tangible view of the company’s vision for the future of travel. The concept itself reflects the ever-changing structure and design by which people live, something any retailer or automotive manufacturer alike can struggle to achieve. By transforming unproductive or boring commutes into useful and enjoyable minutes (or hours) on the road, then yes, Volvo Cars has the ability to possibly transform the well-being of their riders with four scenarios built in: sleeping space, mobile office, living room, and entertainment space.
“The 360c explores what becomes possible when we remove the human driver, using new freedoms in design and recapturing time – it’s a glimpse at how autonomous drive technology will change the world as we know it. The possibilities are mind-boggling,” said Mårten Levenstam, senior vice president of corporate strategy at Volvo Cars.
Fully autonomous and electric travel offers a range of advanced safety and environmental benefits, such as less pollution, less traffic congestion, and related health and lifestyle advantages for those living in cities. It also opens up possibilities for more residential freedom, reduced pressure on real estate pricing and more affordable home ownership.
“People becoming less reliant on proximity to cities is just one example of the impact of removing the burden of unproductive travel time,” said Mårten Levenstam. “The 360c driving office makes it viable for people to live at greater distances from crowded cities and use their time both in a more pleasant and more effective way.”
The 360c is based on a fully autonomous, electric car without a human driver. It reimagines how people travel, how they engage with friends, family and contacts, and how they can recapture time while travelling.
This is just the start, but Volvo Cars President comments this design concept is just the conversation starter as more ideas and answers make their way to the Volvo team of engineers and designers.
“It will have a profound impact on how people travel, how we design our cities and how we use infrastructure. But we are just one of many stakeholders, so we expect and invite a broad discussion as society learns how to make the most of this revolutionary technology.” – Marten Levenstam