Rolls-Royce Unveils Driverless Car Concept

Passengers can enjoy the new-found legroom from the "removal of the chauffeur."

ByABC News
June 17, 2016, 10:57 AM
Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.
Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.
Courtesy Rolls-Royce

— -- Rolls-Royce unveiled its first autonomous vehicle, the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, at the Roundhouse in London yesterday.

The vehicle measure just over 19-feet long and is "powered by a zero emissions powertrain," according to a press release.

Passengers in the driverless vehicle can also enjoy the extra legroom offered by “the ample space created by the removal of the chauffeur,” the British luxury carmaker explained. The car was designed without a steering and a dashboard.

PHOTO: Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.
Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.

Moreover, the lower section of the car is "draped in a silk-like ‘Crystal Water’ colour scheme, its surfacing achieves a lightness that belies the vehicle’s size. This is automotive ‘Haute Couture.' From whatever angle the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 is viewed, it seems to float, whether at rest or in motion," according to the company.

PHOTO: Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.
Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 comes with the “Voice of Eleanor,” a Siri-like, artificially-intelligent virtual assistant and chauffeur, named after Eleanor Thornton, a British actress and model who died nearly a century ago.

“Eleanor becomes their virtual assistant and chauffeur, freeing them of all effort and encumbrance. Imbued with her own artificial intelligence, she works intuitively to advise her owners on itineraries, schedules and options before they leave their residence,” Rolls-Royce explained.

Rolls-Royce has not announced when the vehicle is set to hit the streets, or how much it is expected to cost.

PHOTO: Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.
Rolls-Royce unveiled their first autonomous car, the VISION NEXT 100, in London on June 16, 2016.