
The world of autonomous vehicles just got a more luxurious, after Rolls-Royce unveiled a driverless super car of the future.

It has dubbed its futuristic car, which looks like it could have come straight out of Batman's cave, the Rolls-Royce 103EX.

The vehicle will be six metres long, with a canopy roof, covered wheels and a curved body.

The six metre-long vehicle, dubbed the Rolls-Royce 103EX, has a canopy roof, covered wheels and a curved body

KEY FEATURES The six metre-long vehicle, dubbed the Rolls-Royce 103EX, has a canopy roof, covered wheels and a curved body. The front seat is replaced with a sofa-style body. It features an artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant named Eleanor. Advertisement

The front seat is replaced with a sofa-style body and it features an AI-powered voice assistant named Eleanor.

Rolls-Royce describes it as the 'ultimate concept car', in a rare insight into how the luxury vehicle maker sees the future of motoring.

The car was unveiled at a global event held in London today but the company said it may be another 25 years before it hits the road.

BMW, who own Rolls-Royce, said self-driving technology was still some way off being fully autonomous.

During the event, the company cited legislative changes and more accurate maps as hurdles facing drivers.

'Today, Rolls-Royce, the world's leading luxury brand, has defined the future of luxury mobility,' said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

'The Grand Arrival of the Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 boldly points to a bright future for our marque where our patrons' individual demands for complete and authentic personalisation will be met through an exquisite fusion of technology, design and hallmark Rolls-Royce craftsmanship.'

In the spirit of the great coachbuilt cars of the past, Rolls-Royce said it will create the chassis of the future, hand-built from the most advanced materials and powered by a zero emissions powertrain.

Advanced manufacturing technologies will enable customers to involve themselves even more in the design of the shape, size and silhouette of their personal Rolls-Royce vision.

The front seat is replaced with a sofa-style body and it features an AI-powered voice assistant named Eleanor

Rolls-Royce describes it as the 'ultimate concept car', in a rare insight into how the luxury vehicle maker sees the future of motoring

WHO IS ELEANOR? 'For the 105 years since her creation in 1911, the Spirit of Ecstasy, modelled by sculptor and artist Charles Sykes, on Eleanor Thornton, has silently guided every Rolls-Royce and its owner through the momentous events of their lives,' the firm says. 'She has stood as an elegant presence at some of history’s most notable events. 'Today, the ‘Voice of Eleanor’ inhabits the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, delivering the dream of an effortless future to her owners.' Advertisement

'Rolls-Royce 103EX is our first ever vision vehicle, and embodies just one of the endless possibilities that awaits,' it said.

'A personalised icon for the future, providing a sanctuary of calm in an ever-faster world.

'The pinnacle of effortless autonomous travel, gliding silently through the cities of tomorrow.

Rolls-Royce acknowledged that the immense 12-cylinder engines that have powered its huge cars in recent years are 'most unlikely to exist in the future.'

However, it failed to say how the new car would be powered.

'One can only surmise how this Rolls-Royce will be powered.' But it did say the Vision Next 100 generates zero emissions.

Also unveiled was another future concept of the Mini brand, designed around a future of car sharing.

The design looks similar to a typical mini but ditches the traditional dash board to let passengers see the view ahead.

The steering wheel can be moved to one side and dials of the dash are projected on to the glass.

The vehicle would also autonomous and use via its DriveNow service, so that users can share it with others.

It also features an an 'Inspire Me' button which would take you somewhere unexpected.

Eleanor, named after the Spirit of Ecstasy figure on all Rolls Royce cars, modelled in 1911 by sculptor and artist Charles Sykes, on Eleanor Thornton, will be an AI assistant.

'Imbued with her own artificial intelligence, she works intuitively to advise her owners on itineraries, schedules and options before they leave their residence, reminding about appointments and tasks and making suggestions to ease any anticipated impediments,' the firm said.

'She ‘brings’ the car around when her passengers are ready to travel and, whilst conveying her charges to their next destination, helpfully but discreetly makes suggestions and recommendations, briefing them ahead of their arrival so they are ready to ‘perform’.

'And ever vigilant, ‘Eleanor’ safely delivers her passengers to their destination, having already predicted the situation and surroundings that await them.'

Chief executive of Rolls Royce, Torsten Muller Otvos, poses next to the the Vision Next 100 concept car

The new Rolls-Royce 103EX car at its launch at The Roundhouse in north London

Blocky and awkward or beautifully designed and elegant? The concept car from Rolls Royce is a departure from classic car manufacturing designs, but aims to keep the elegance of the heritage car brand

A model exits the futuristic concept car at a launch in London earlier today

The front seat is replaced with a sofa-style body and it features an AI-powered voice assistant named Eleanor

Rolls Royce is looking to the future with its design for a concept car - although the wheel blocks could make London's speed bumps tricky for drivers

Head on the Rolls Royce looks an impressive feat of automotive design and engineering

Head of Mini design Andres Warming spoke at the launch of The Mini Vision Next 100 car in London

According to BMW, the concept car has a 'smart skin' which greets detects the driver approaching, but the technology can also respond to the driver's mood and make recommendations

The car was unveiled at a global event held in London by BMW today but the company said it may be another 25 years before it hits the road

BMW's concept car is sleek and futuristic looking with a gleaming gold finish. The artwork shows the rendered computer designs during the development process

The sleek BMW concept looks straight out of a sci-fi movie. The automotive firm claim that constant connectivity, digital intelligence and state-of-the-art technologies turns the driver into the 'Ultimate Driver'

Technology built into the car means it has cameras to help the driver see through fog or obstructed views when driving

A vision of the future? BMW's concept car is low to the ground, with LED lights and dazzling paint job