Steering the Future

The steering wheel is a great invention, but after 100 years with few modifications, it may be time for an upgrade.

At least that's the opinion of researchers at SKF Automotive Div. North America.

They recently showed off the Novanta concept car at the company's Plymouth, MI, technical center featuring an electronic steering device that hides itself when not in use.

Yet another gadget dubbed a “human-machine interface,” the mechanism does not just tilt up or telescope into the instrument panel to ease driver entry and exit, it completely folds itself into the door panel when the car door is opened.

As the door closes, the steering apparatus and its supporting arm pivot out in front of the driver.

Steering, throttle, braking and transmission controls all are located on a pod with two twist grips in a setup that is a cross between something you would see on an aircraft and a motorcycle. Twist the grips and you go, squeeze them and you stop. Turn the grips to the right or left and the vehicle immediately responds.

Electronic drive-by-wire technology makes the arrangement possible. It replaces the traditional mechanical linkages and hydraulic systems used for steering and braking with a series of electric motors, actuators, sensors and control devices that translate driver commands into functions.

SKF used a similar layout on earlier concept vehicles, including General Motors Corp.'s Hi-Wire hydrogen-powered concept.

Sweden-based SKF Group, SKF Automotive's parent, has been developing so-called by-wire technologies for 20 years, starting with the aerospace industry.

Electronic systems for throttle control, automatic transmission gear selection, parking brakes and standard brakes have been developed by numerous suppliers in addition to SKF and currently are available on a growing number of vehicles.

Nevertheless, future challenges remain. Luxury auto makers, traditional proponents of advanced electronics, are wary of adding to already highly complex vehicle systems because electronic glitches are a major source of customer complaints.

Even so, Steven F. Brown, director of SKF North America's Drive-by-Wire Business Unit, remains optimistic. He says the inherent benefits of the technology will allow it to make inroads.

Brown adds that tomorrow's drivers, who are growing up piloting cars in video games with joysticks, will be demanding new ways of controlling future real cars. However, he does not expect anything as radical as the Novanta to appear in production in the near future.