Steerbywire

Steer-by-wire (SbW) is a vehicle steering technology that replaces the traditional mechanical linkage between the steering wheel and the road wheels with electronic sensing, control, and actuation. In SbW, input from the driver is captured by sensors on the steering wheel and processed by a steering control unit. The resulting commands are sent to steering actuators at the wheels, which adjust the wheel angle accordingly. Many implementations incorporate dual or multiple electronic channels and safety watchdogs, and a back-up path or mechanical fallback may be retained to ensure steering in the event of a system failure.

Steer-by-wire systems typically include torque and position sensors, vehicle dynamics sensors, and integrated software that can manage steering angle, steering ratio, and steering feel. The system can provide haptic feedback, or simulate steering feel, and can offer adaptive or variable steering ratios, speed-sensitive steering, and tighter integration with driver-assistance and automated driving functions. By removing the mechanical linkage, SbW enables greater packaging flexibility and can simplify integration with electronic stability control, lane-keeping, and other assist systems.

Advantages of steer-by-wire include potential weight and packaging benefits, simplified integration with autonomous technologies, and the ability to implement advanced control strategies and safety features. Disadvantages and challenges center on reliability, maintenance complexity, cost, and cybersecurity concerns, along with issues related to driver perception of steering feel and trust in electronic control.

Steer-by-wire is most common in research and concept vehicles and in some production platforms as part of advanced driver-assistance and automated driving initiatives. It remains a developing technology with ongoing evaluation of safety, reliability, and regulatory acceptance.