Volvo and Ericsson have developed technology to optimise video streaming during driverless car journeys - including extending travel time to allow a driver to watch their favourite TV programme if desired.

Revealed at the Consumer Electronics Show in LA, the system, dubbed Concept 26, is designed to deal with the expected increase in demand on mobile networks along roads once the introduction of autonomous vehicles becomes commonplace.

“Our research shows that almost 70 per cent of all mobile data traffic will be from video in the coming years. This requires an innovative connectivity, cloud and analytics solution that is not only capable of serving multiple moving vehicles across a highway, but also has the capacity to provide the high-quality, uninterrupted video service today’s consumer is accustomed to,” said Claes Herlitz, ‎head of automotive services at Ericsson. 

The system is predicts your route and looks ahead at network conditions, with content then be tailored to the duration of each trip and buffered ahead of time, to deliver a high-quality and uninterrupted viewing experience. 

"This new way of commuting will demand new technology and a much broader bandwidth to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience,” said Anders Tylman, general manager, Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center at Volvo Car Group.

According to the companies, the car is then able to suggest content that is viewable within the estimated time it takes to complete your journey.

Tylman added that the system would also be able to extend a journey to allow the occupant to watch their desired TV programme in full.

“If you want to watch the latest episode of your favourite series, the car will know how long the journey needs to take and can optimise the route and driving control accordingly. With autonomous drive it is no longer just a question of getting from A to B quickly – it’s about the experience you wish to have in the car, how you wish to spend the time you are saving.” concluded Tylman.