SEOUL: Hyundai Mobis has just announced that it has developed a foldable steering wheel.
It's useful as it can allow for more space in the driver's seat and bring about design innovation.
The Hyundai Mobis foldable steering system features a steering wheel that can move forwards and backward up to 25cm. It took the company two years to come out with the unique steering wheel; it is filing patents to protect its innovation.
To develop this system, Hyundai Mobis designed new core parts of a steering system, including a column and a reaction force control device, and applied a sliding rail mechanism, securing system durability and reliability.
The system enabled the application of assorted designs, including a storage type where the steering wheel can be retracted into the dashboard, as well as the foldable one. This means that an innovative driver's seat, which we would only be able to see in future concept cars is now coming closer to fruition.
The new foldable steering system is also compatible with the Steer by Wire (SBW) steering system the company had developed before. The SBW system controls steering with electrical signals by connecting the steering wheel with a device designed to deliver the steering force generated from the steering wheel to the wheels.
The SBW system allows for optimal steering performance under various driving conditions and minimises the vibrations that come from a rumble strip or a speed bump to the steering wheel, thus enabling the driver to drive in a comfortable and stable manner.
The redundancy design of some core electronic parts, such as sensors and ECU in the system, ensures that the vehicle is capable of maintaining normal steering in an emergency.
