A stunning one million drones expected to be sold this holiday season and Google headlining a growing list of companies rolling out with autonomous cars aren't related news in any way.
Yet, Rinspeed has taken notice of both phenomenons and is combining them. According to Auto Express, the Switzerland-based automaker will scream into the future by debuting its over-the-top Etos' self-driving, two-seater sports car — equipped with its own drone and landing pad in the back — at the CES technology show in Las Vegas in January. Talk about a show stopper.
Although the jaw-dropping concept isn't 100 percent autonomous, its autopilot feature has the ability to gradually learn and adapt over time. Close enough, right? If an autonomous sports coupe with a drone and landing pad aren't enough of a futuristic blast for you, though, the vehicle's steering wheel can also retract into the dashboard while the car is in self-driving mode.
Looking at this wild concept a little closer ... why would there ever be a need for a drone to accompany a car?
Well, Rinspeed's press release for the Etos concept attempts to explain that the drone "could fetch a bouquet of flowers the driver ordered online and even deliver it directly to the lucky recipient," as ridiculous — yet, thoroughly entertaining — as that sounds.
Rinspeed has been known to go overboard with its concepts, but this offering is as far-fetched as it gets. Still, as technology progresses, it could wind up being a taste of things to come for drivers. Imagine that.
