Qoros Qloud Qubed concept wants to be friends

CHINESE-ISRAELI car-maker Qoros has revealed the Qloud Qubed concept ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show calling it a “multi-dimensional personal management system” which forms a relationship with the driver based on trust.

Also known as Q, it’s Qoros’s entry into the LA motor show’s 2014 Design Challenge. The theme this year is ‘Sensing the Future’ with automotive design studios asked to explore how a car’s interior or part of it may interact with the driver in 2029.

Qoros said it sees Q as a highly advanced future version of its Qloud connectivity system used in its current models, which can learn from the driver and eventually know their favourite restaurants, places they like to go and music tastes.

“The dynamics of the relationship between the Q and user emulates how human relationships develop over time,” Qoros said in its entry description.

The system also monitors the driver’s on-road behavior and will take control if it deems necessary.

“If Q senses that the driver is being irresponsible (especially on Friday night), it will switch to Q’s automated driving mode, take over the wheel and safely drive the person home.” According to its creators, the body of the car is tall and narrow to suit city streets, while inside is spacious with front seats that can face rearward to allow the occupants to relax and talk while in autonomous Q-drive mode.

This year’s design challenge has seen eight automotive design studios enter their visions. Honda Japan’s CARpet is an interior composed of just two elements: carpet and a ball, which the driver interacts with to control the car or access media.

Infiniti Design San Diego created a pod which splits into three vehicles controlled by a connectivity suit worn by the driver.

Concepts entered into the Design Challenge 2014 will be on display at the Los Angeles motor show from November 18. Anyone can vote for their favourite concept at the event’s Facebook page.