Autonomy could significantly impact look and feel of vehicles
The future design of autonomous car interiors will revolve around a customer's experience within the cabin, rather than the exterior look, and may become a key differentiator for brands. BMW, for example, is planning to eliminate the dashboard panel of instruments making the entire windscreen an interactive display, and replace air vents with climate-regulating fabrics."Car companies, BMW included, are thinking much more about what people do in a car and how they use it," said Holger Hampf, head of user experience in BMWs design department.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary in style, BMW in March unveiled its most daring concept since the 2009 super sports car that eventually became the i8 plug-in hybrid.

When the creative minds behind BMW's Vision Next 100 sat down to conceive an autonomous car of the future, their approach was something of a revolution for the century-old company.