British automaker Lotus has revealed the Theory 1, a tech-heavy concept car with saluting doors and "soft robotic" seats.
Unlike some other recent concept cars that have sought to pre-empt how self-driving technology will impact automotive design, the Theory 1 aims to create a new, more immersive driving experience that the brand calls "Lotuswear".
Theory 1 is a three-seater car, with the driver's seat located in the middle and two passenger seats nestled behind.
Lotus has unveiled the Theory 1, a fully built concept car
The seats and the steering wheel were upholstered in what Lotus term "soft robotics", which allows the car to communicate with the driver and passengers by sending out pulses to a series of inflatable pods embedded in the fabric. For example, pulses on the left side indicate when the driver should make a left turn.
Developed in collaboration with German startup MotorSkins, it is the first time the technology has been applied to a car.
Inflatable pods embedded in the seats and steering wheel allow the car to communicate with the driver
"What we've done with Theory 1 is give people a real opportunity to understand what this technology and system could do," Lotus vice president of design Ben Payne told Dezeen.
"Whether that will be converted commercially is something we will carry on investigating, but what that commercial reality will become remains to be seen."
The seat robotics are based on technology develo...