Just think about how relaxing your commute would be in a world of self-driving cars. You hop into your vehicle, tell the computer your destination, and settle in for a peaceful ride to work. Perhaps you can even take a nap, right?

Not if the entertainment industry has anything to say about it. You’re a captive audience the whole journey, so what better time to bombard you with even more “immersive entertainment experiences”? Companies have seen the future, and they’re already making plans to monetize it.

Intel and Warner Bros. recently announced a partnership to do just that. Referring to the autonomous vehicle (AV) as a new type of “consumer space,” Intel’s CEO, Brian Krzanich, writes that “the rise of the AV industry will create one of the greatest expansions of consumer time available for entertainment we’ve seen in a long time.”

With the average American spending more than 300 hours per year behind the wheel, entertainment execs hope that time can now be spent consuming content rather than driving. The Hollywood Reporter notes that some analysts predict that in-car streaming entertainment could result in as much as $200 billion per year in extra revenue. “Can the windshield be the movie screen of tomorrow?” asked Ted Schilowitz of Paramount Pictures.

Some of the possibilities involve in-cabin virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences. “For example, a fan of the superhero Batman could enjoy riding in the Batmobile through the streets of Gotham City, while AR capabilities render the car a literal lens to the outside world, enabling passengers to view advertising and other discovery experiences,” writes Krzanich.

The broadcast industry’s next-gen standard is known as ATSC 3.0, and it combines internet capability, over-the-air signals, and Ultra HD 4K resolution. “Broadcasters are interested in conversations with automakers,” said spokesman Dave Arland. “ATSC 3.0 is a very big [content] pipe into the car.”

Although this technology is still a few years away, advertisers are already ahead of the curve. “We could deliver interactive, geolocated advertising based on nearby shops, restaurants and businesses,” said a rep from the National Association of Broadcasters.

Ad Week envisions a scenario where the data collected by a driverless vehicle could be used for specific, targeted advertising: “If passenger biometric data recognizes that the passenger is generally too hungry to wait, he or she could be served with ads and offers for nearby restaurants.”

It seems like the peaceful oasis inside your car is about to get a lot more … crowded. “The telcos, content providers, game developers and e-commerce companies will be transacting business within the car,” said Danny Shapiro of NVIDIA. “We’ll also see new types of interfaces — we can even turn the whole interior of the car into a holodeck.”

Related Posts

I was skeptical of the Cadillac Lyriq-V, but a test drive changed that

The 2026 Cadillac Lyriq-V is the first all-electric model in the luxury brand’s V-Series performance lineup. The V-Series has been instrumental in helping Cadillac shake off its stodgy image with fast-and-fun cars that go tire-to-tire with their counterparts from BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG. But, more often than not, Cadillac V-Series models have been powered by loud-and-thirsty V8 engines — the opposite of the silent, zero-emission electric powertrains that are ostensibly Cadillac’s future.

Save $103 on this high-power car jump starter for emergencies

If you’ve ever dealt with a dead car battery at the worst possible moment, a dependable jump starter is worth keeping in your trunk. The high-power AVAPOW 4000A portable jump starter is now on sale for $56.99, down from $159.99, giving you a $103 savings on a compact power pack that can bring a dead car back to life without needing another vehicle.

Save 15% on DEWALT’s portable power station and jump starter this Black Friday

A dead car battery or a low tire always seems to happen at the worst time. If you want something reliable to keep in your trunk for those moments, the DEWALT DXAEJ14 Digital Portable Power Station Jump Starter is a practical pick—especially now that it’s on sale. It’s currently $109.55, down from a typical $129, giving you a sturdy, all-in-one roadside tool from a brand known for its durability.