For driverless cars, the future is just round the corner, with Regus, a global workplace provider, experimenting on this project. Now at a concept stage, it will take another 2-3 years before the robotic car starts driving people around.
The London Stock Exchange-listed company is working with Rinspeed, a Swiss creative think-tank and mobility laboratory, on the project.
The concept — XchangE — will be on display at the Geneva Motor Show (March 6-16).
“We have to create the future; it won’t happen by itself. What we are is an office on wheels that would be the future of the workplace — a place to work, meet or simply relax while on the move,” Regus’ Global Director for Product and Business Development Andre Sharpe told
XchangE will be an electric sedan with a ‘steer-by-wire’ system that uses electronics rather than the conventional method of mechanics, as in modern jet planes.
This system also helps the steering wheel to be moved to the middle of the dashboard, out of the way of the front seats.
The car’s front seats — designed like an airline’s business class seats — can swivel round to face backwards, making the moving vehicle a comfy meeting place.
Occupants will be able to work, surf the Net or watch movies, even as the sensor systems and robotics drive them to their destination.
Teaming up Regus is partnering with IT majors, such as Microsoft and Cisco, telecom firms and auto companies, such as General Motors, for the project. Sharpe, who declined to divulge the investments, said the cost of the vehicle would be “incrementally higher” than its normal model.
The company, which offers virtual offices, serviced offices and business lounges across the world, will also introduce it in India, where “travelling takes a lot of time”.
“There are a lot of obstacles to overcome, including regulatory issues,” Sharpe added.
Internet major Google has already developed autonomous cars, and a number of vehicle makers have also entered the fray.
While the US state of Nevada passed a law in 2011 permitting the operation of autonomous cars, in many countries regulations are not yet in place.