Designers reveal new interior for self-driving cars in Sunnyvale

SUNNYVALE, Calif. (KGO) -- Autonomous cars are just getting started, but auto designers are already working on a new generation of interiors. Here's a first look at a working model that's starting to resemble our living rooms.

Some day when the steering wheel disappears, and that day is coming, the time will be right to reinvent the interior of autonomous cars.

Yanfeng, the world's largest supplier of auto interiors, has put two years into a working model that will change how you'll spend your time commuting.

With the press of a button, the interior transforms into lounge mode. The backseats disappear and the two front seats move back and recline. That allows for viewing of videos or movies.

An organic LED screen in the headliner displays mood-setting patterns.

And if you want to work, meeting mode positions the seats so they face each other. Work tables can be pulled out.

Almost anything is possible as we see industrial designers focus on the future of autonomous vehicles. We're already seeing new design concepts in commercial aircraft.

"Technology can enable radical things, but sometimes the consumers are a few steps behind. They're not ready for that big step, so we always have to be aware of what's acceptable or comfortable for the consumer," said Yanfeng Design Vice President Tim Shih.

Young automotive design students loved the concepts but had some advice.

"I feel like maybe bigger tables would be a little more practical for business and stuff like that," said automotive design student Kevin Chen.

The designers used input from consumers in Germany, China and the U.S.

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