Today, October 11, the South Korean automobile spare parts company, Hyundai Mobis, officially announced that it has developed a foldable steering wheel for future vehicles.
The company is among the largest automobile parts makers, specializing in parts and services. In 2014 the company was ranked number 6th automotive supplier in the world.
The technology includes a steering wheel that can be folded inside the dashboard and moved up to 25 centimeters back and forth to give the driver’s seat extra room.
After folding the steering wheel and facing passengers in the back seats, the technology allows the driver’s seat to be rotated 180 degrees.
The system was designed utilizing steer-by-wire (SBW) technology to ensure longevity and safety, according to Hyundai Mobis.
The steer-by-wire is a steering solution that provides electrical impulses to the wheels. It eliminates the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the wheels, making steering more pleasant and responsive.
According to the company, the durability and reliability of the new wheel system have been tested by applying various new technologies to actively respond to the self-driving car market and the future mobility market.
Hyundai Mobis wants to leverage the new technology to expand its position in future mobility sectors, such as autonomous vehicles, and to produce more innovative auto solutions that will benefit global automakers.
According to the company, research has been ongoing for the past two years for the development of a foldable steering wheel. It added that the company is currently working to acquire patents for the new system.
