Video: Volvo drivers go hands-free

Volvo last week announced its plan to make hands-free driving a reality in Sweden by 2017, as part of what it claims will be the world’s first large-scale autonomous driving pilot project.

The Swedish manufacturer isn’t the first car-maker to join the self-driving car craze, but now it has revealed the eye-opening reality of what it could be like to be driven by your car.

Tagged with the catchline ‘Our next feature: spare time’, the YouTube video shows a woman sketching, texting, emailing and surfing the internet in the comfort of her own car as it drives itself.

At the push of a steering wheel button, she assumes control of the car and completes the journey to her destination.

Volvo’s ‘Drive Me’ autonomous driving research project, which aims to “develop technology and demonstrate the societal benefits of autonomous cars”, also includes fully automated parking -- without a driver in the car.

Using self-parking technology, which is also under development by a range of car companies, the woman could then have arrived at her car park entrance, got out and left while her car carried on, found a vacant spot and parked itself.

Drive Me, which is endorsed by the Swedish government and backed by a range of organisations including the City of Gothenburg, aims to put 100 self-driving Volvo cars on public roads, in everyday driving conditions, around the Swedish capital from 2017.

It’s part of Volvo’s commitment to prevent anyone being killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo car by 2020.

Watch the video through to the end, including Volvo’s explanation of the technology and its potential to become reality, and you too might be convinced of the benefits of autonomous cars.