There was a time when watching a movie on a road trip meant balancing a portable DVD player on your lap. Then as time went by and phones became more prevalent, kids would fight over their parents smart phone trying to pick something that everyone would be happy with. Then it was iPads. No matter how you slice it watching media in cars is not new. But for “Drivers” not only is it new, but it’s a totally different ball game. wants to take that idea and turn it into something much bigger: your car becoming an entertainment destination.
According to The Hollywood Reporter article on the project, IMAX is partnering with Chinese autonomous vehicle company Goer Dynamics to create self-driving vehicles designed with movie watching in mind.
In a world where Cars are Movie Theaters…
Imagine calling a self driving car after work. Instead of climbing into a traditional backseat, you step into a cabin built more like a private theater. The seats recline, and an IMAX-quality screen stretches across the front of the vehicle. As the car quietly drives you to your destination, a movie begins. They are going to put different things into action as well, such as the ability to adapt the screen so that the lighting from outside doesn’t disturb the movie going experience. I also imagine that when you book a ride it will have options for what you want to watch, so you’d be paying for a ride as well as (possibly) a movie playing in theaters playing in the car.
Need to cross town? Maybe you can choose an episode of your favorite show. Heading to another city? Suddenly, you’ve got enough time for a real blockbuster.
The companies envision these vehicles becoming what they call a “third living space”—a place that exists somewhere between home and work. It’s an interesting idea. We already spend countless hours commuting every year, and autonomous vehicles could transform that dead time into entertainment, relaxation, or even social experiences. For example when my husband and I lived in LA, his commute was around 2+ hours each way. That’s enough time for a full movie plus some.
What does this look like in action?
For users, the experience would feel less like taking an Uber and more like booking a private screening room that just happens to be moving down the highway. You could finish an entire film before arriving at your destination or pause it and pick up where you left off on your next ride.
If self-driving technology continues to improve, the future of moviegoing may not just be at the multiplex—it could be happening in traffic. And that would be pretty cool.
