Self driving car concept will transform working on the move

A new self-driving car concept will transform the carinto a fully connected office and meeting space. Car journeys will become atime for professionals to do business; driving will no longer be dead-time awayfrom work or home.

Flexible workspace provider Regus has partnered withRinspeed on the development of the concept car, the XchangE, which will bedisplayed at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The concept backs Regus’s owndrive to help people work on the road, and links to the growing network ofRegus Express locations on Europe’s motorway network. Its ‘third place’ (notthe office, not home) work options could include the car, as well as othertransport hubs.

The innovative design of the XchangE allows the two frontseats to swivel backwards, creating a mobile work and meeting space for fourpeople. The car’s advanced technology and infotainment systems allow passengersto connect to their office, work productively, or make a presentation using alaptop. The result is a comfortable and confidential space that turns a trafficjam on the way to the airport into productive time ‘at the office’.

As well as helping people do business on the move, theself-driving car offers professionals more flexibility over their workingschedules. With business completed wherever they are and whenever it suitsthem, there’s less need to take work home or miss out on family life.

Already, businesses that offer more flexible working totheir staff see clear benefits. In Regus research among over 20,000 peopleglobally, 75% of business people say flexible working boosts productivity.

Regus’s involvement with the XchangE concept complementsits other innovations to help people work more flexibly. Its Regus Expressstrategy has already brought walk-in business facilities and workspaces to theroad and motorway network, and other transport hubs — including railwaystations, motorway service stations, and, in a pilot with Shell, petrolstations throughout Berlin.

Andre Sharpe, Global Product and Business DevelopmentDirector at Regus, commented: “Regus has long been committed to developingthe Future of Work. Now this innovative car will change wasted time intoproductive time.

“People already work on the road, thanks to Regus.Now, with the XchangE, Regus’s third place network could encompass the caritself as well as the roadside. A consultant or sales rep could fit in 7-8hours of productive work each day, using a driverless vehicle, Regus hubs onmotorways, and our network of business centres. It’s another illustration ofRegus’ commitment to leading the workplace revolution.”

Frank M. Rinderknecht, founder and CEO of Rinspeed Inc,adds: “Autonomous cars no longer require drivers to watch the road, sothere’s an opportunity to make more meaningful use of their time. Regus’sexpertise in helping people work more productively and flexibly makes it theideal partner for developing this new concept.”

About Regus

Regus is the global workplace provider.

Its network of more than 1,800 business centres in 100countries provides convenient, high-quality, fully serviced spaces for peopleto work, whether for a few minutes or a few years. Companies like Google,Toshiba and GlaxoSmithKline choose Regus so that they can work flexibly andmake their businesses more successful.

The key to flexible working is convenience and so Regusis opening wherever its 1.5 million members want support – city centres,suburban districts, shopping centres and retail outlets, railway stations,motorway service stations and even community centres.

Founded in Brussels, Belgium, in 1989, Regus is based inLuxembourg and listed on the London Stock Exchange. For more information,please visit www.regus.com.

About Rinspeed

Rinspeed is a Swiss creative think tank and mobility labfor the automotive industry for more than thirty-six years. Innovations,visions and creations, always paired with emotions, result in a long list ofproducts used and enjoyed by the motorists around the globe every day.Visionary mobility concepts, innovative drives, sustainability, comprehensivenetwork and stated competences in worldwide communications are part of the corebusiness. It is privately held and run by its founder – Frank M. Rinderknecht.Rinspeed makes the future reality – today. For more information, please visit www.rinspeed.com.