Volvo's new patent on the steering system, the position of the steering wheel can be changed, switching between the main driver and the co-pilot. Through the track, the position of the steering wheel can be translated between the two or even moved to the middle.
Because the whole steering system is a drive-by-wire system, the dashboard and other accessories are essentially an electronic unit, so that the steering wheel can be located on either side of the car and can continue to work. In short, vehicles equipped with this steering wheel system can drive in any country (left-hand drive or right-hand drive), and in the long run, it can also make automatic driving more convenient.
As for the setting of pedals, Volvo suggests not to replace the traditional pedals with sliding pedal boxes, but to replace them with pressure-sensitive pads, hydraulic or pneumatic sensors or other devices that are allowed to be placed on two footholds. They will be activated according to which side of the car the steering wheel is located.
Volvo also pointed out in the patent application that sliding the steering wheel can provide more space for passengers in cars that may have autonomous driving function in the future. Theoretically, the driver can enter the automatic driving mode and move the steering wheel.
Volvo gave no indication that it planned to put such products into production. If this technology is really realized, it is essentially inseparable from the maturity of autonomous driving technology.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.