Volvo reveals bizarre autonomous car that claims to be the future of travel

The 360c concept vehicle reimagines what a car can become when the need for a human driver is removed

The 360c concept is how Volvo imagines the future of personal transportation (Volvo)

In the future you'll be able to relax in first-class comfort on your way to work while your car negotiates rush-hour traffic – at least according to Volvo.

The Swedish car maker unveiled its 360c Concept car on Wednesday, revealing a spaceship-like design both inside and out.

The fully autonomous electric vehicle is designed to start a conversation around how cars could challenge short-haul air travel, and comes alongside a call by Volvo for a universal safety standard for autonomous cars of the future..

Volvo imagines the interior of the 360c autonomous concept as a space that could act as a mobile office or a place to rest.

“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.

The autonomous concept allows passengers to fully recline into a sleeping position (Volvo)

Current laws in the UK and the US require a driver to keep their hands in contact with the steering wheel, regardless of whether it is capable of driving autonomously.

As can be expected with a technology like this, there has been a lot of interest in who is held accountable in the event of an accident – the driver, the manufacturer, or the software's developer.

Perhaps in an effort to push for more lenient legislation in the sector, Volvo has taken the unusual step of saying it will take responsibility for its vehicles' self-driving capabilities.

"Volvo will accept full liability for our cars when driven in autonomous mode," said Volvo CEO Hakan Samuelsson. "We are one of the first car makers in the world to make such a promise."

The 360c is currently just a concept, so unfortunately it might be a while before this actually becomes a reality.