This is Volvo's vision of a future autonomous car interior

Autonomous motoring isn’t such a long way off (just look at Mercedes-Benz, Tesla, Google and so forth). Volvo is big into autonomy, which is why the Swedes have come up with this: the Concept 26.

Named for the length of the average commute – 26 minutes, says Volvo – the interior-only concept is about time spent driving versus time spent being driven. Allow Robin Page, Volvo’s VP of interior design, to explain…

“Our research clearly shows that some people will want to use their commuting time creatively when they have full autonomous drive available,” says Page.

“Others will want to just sit back and relax, watch online media or listen to music. Autonomous drive will make all of this possible.”

26 is based around a new kind of seat, configurable into one of three modes: Drive, Create and Relax. Drive looks fairly standard, whereas in Create or Relax, everything is pushed back – rear-seat passengers be damned – for maximum legroom. A giant screen flips out of the dashboard, while the steering wheel and instrument binnacle recess back into the dashboard.

Looks mighty comfy, if a bit dentist-y. Now all you need, Volvo, is an actual car in which to fit it…