Utilizing Steer-by-Wire in the Design of a New Steering Device Concept: Enhancing the Driving Experience in Highly Automated Cars

Abstract

Steer-by-wire is a technology that is expected to be implemented into modern cars shortly. The main idea of steer-by-wire is to replace the cars’ mechanical steering systems with wires and actuators. This thesis has aimed to investigate steer-by-wire and to identify UX-related design opportunities that emerge from the implementation of it. In addition, the found opportunities were to be concretized into a visionary design concept of a steering device for highly automated cars. Highly automated cars are fully autonomous under certain, predefined conditions and otherwise manually driven (often referred to as automation level 4). A process containing a literature review and several user-incorporative data collection methods resulted in a condensed list of ten UX opportunities related to steer-by-wire and automation level 4. It was shown that the implementation of steer-by-wire enables a design flexibility that potentially can be utilized to improve ergonomics, space efficiency and user interaction. An ideation process converged into a set of generic steering concepts. The ‘divided steering’ concept was evaluated to be the most promising one and was elaborated and visualized. The resulting concept reimagines the occupation of spaces within the vehicle and involves a two-part steering wheel that enables a new driving posture and improved engagement in in-car activities.