There are usually some concept cars at the auto show, which everyone knows better. Concept cars are often full of sci-fi colors, LCD screens, strange cockpit designs and so on. But how to build a science fiction car? BMW will tell you that you can change the traditional steering wheel into this one.
Recently, someone exposed a patent that BMW applied for overseas. From the patent point of view, BMW is studying the future steering wheel form and will use the joystick to control the car. This way is very innovative in design, and it also brings a full sense of science fiction. Although this design is only a concept map, it may not be realized in the future, but it is likely to be realized in the future. Moreover, with the development of autonomous driving technology, the traditional steering wheel may not be a necessity in the future, and there may be cars that don't need to be manipulated or even joysticks in the future.
Some analysts say that if you want to cancel the steering wheel and use the joystick to control the car, the requirements for automatic driving are very high, probably at least L4 level, only the last step away from the L5 level of fully automatic driving. Replacing the steering wheel with a joystick is not only for the pursuit of science fiction, but also for beauty. The main reason is that with the development of autonomous driving technology in the future, having a big round steering wheel in the driver's seat is really cumbersome, and there are still safety hazards. Therefore, when the steering wheel becomes an ornament, designers will consider canceling it and adopting a more compact and space-saving joystick structure.
Some people don't know how the level of autonomous driving is divided. In general, L3-level autonomous driving has been achieved by many car companies, such as Tesla models. 3. Automatic driving can be realized under normal conditions with good road conditions. L4 level can realize automatic driving most of the time, and only in very special circumstances does human intervention need. L5 level is fully automatic driving, people can drive by themselves without intervention, and people in the car can even have a rest.
Although it will take a long time to explore L5-level autopilot, it is not difficult to realize L4-level autopilot at present. Many car companies should already have this technology, but because of some regulations and adaptability restrictions, they can't use it temporarily.
The joystick of BMW will be used in the lowest L4 car in the future. There are many key switches on the joystick, and all the functions on the steering wheel can be realized. With the upgrade of autonomous driving, this joystick is also a decoration, which only needs to be controlled under special circumstances.
This article comes from car home, the author of the car manufacturer, and does not represent car home's position.