Jaguar reinvents the wheel

Jaguar has unveiled what it thinks is the future of the steering wheel as it explores how cars will have evolved by the year 2040.

Instead of a simple tool to guide the front wheels, the British car-maker says that in the future you'll see the humble steering wheel as more of a companion -- and it's serious. Jaguar has even given it its new creation its own name, 'Sayer'.

That's because the wheel, which looks more like a piece of expensive sculpture, comes with voice-activated artificial intelligence (AI).

Capable of carrying out hundreds of tasks, Jaguar says Sayer isn't your typical tiller. For starters, it's removable and can be taken home.

That's because, come 2040, the car-maker thinks that instead of owning a car you'll be a member of a car-sharing scheme, preferably Jaguar's.

If you need to be at a meeting two hours away at 8:00am the next day, instead of making all the arrangements yourself you'll simply ask Sayer to do so.

The next day a car will autonomously arrive at your home with a route planned. Sayer will then give you the option of sitting back and relaxing or using the steering wheel as God intended.

It's thought the new Sayer steering wheel could be part of an equally futuristic concept car that Jaguar is planning.

The new device will be officially unveiled this week at the Jaguar Land Rover Tech Fest to be held at Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London on September 7.