Volvo’s driverless cars will never be completely driverless.
The Sweden-based company is aiming to roll out an advanced autonomous vehicle by 2020. But unlike some companies developing self-driving cars, Volvo plans to always equip its cars with a steering wheel.
“Volvo does not believe in cars without steering wheels. We did a lot of research. Our customers are very interested in high-tech, but they also want to drive,” Lex Kerssemakers, CEO of Volvo North America, told Tech Insider in an interview.
“But if you don't want to drive yourself, then you have the choice to push the button, like you have the choice to turn off the TV if you don’t like what is on TV,” he said.
In other words, as cars become more autonomous, Volvo expects driving to become more of a novelty, something done for enjoyment. And when a driver doesn’t feel like driving, then they will also have the option of putting the car in autonomous mode so that they can focus on something else.
In November, Volvo revealed Concept 26, which is its vision of the interior of its cars as they move towards autonomy.
The car has three modes: Drive, Create, and Relax.
In “Drive” mode, the car minimizes distractions and enables the driver to take manual control of the car. In “Create” mode, the steering wheel retracts into the console, the seat moves back, a retractable table comes forward, and screens appear on the dashboard. And in “Relax” mode, the driver’s seat reclines all the way back, allowing for him or her to watch a show or take a nap.
And while Kerssemakers said that Volvo has no plans to get rid of the steering wheel in its vehicles, that doesn't mean they won't exist.
“Will there be a society in 2030 where everybody is just moving around and is very futuristic? There very well could be, but there is still a long time to go,” he said.
“There will be non-steering wheel cars, but they are just a means of transport between A and B, without any emotion or self-involvement.”
