Volvo first applied for a patent with the US Patent and Trademark Office at the beginning of 20 19, but the patent was not published until late September. Volvo applied for a patent that the steering wheel in a car can move from left to right or from right to left. This is not a science fiction movie. With the increasing popularity of autonomous driving technology, Volvo will be able to achieve this goal.
The patent diagram published last month describes how the vehicle will use various components by wire, including steering by wire, braking by wire and throttle by wire system, which means that there is no physical connection between the control components and the systems they operate. For example, if the driver wants the car itself to completely take over the driving of the vehicle, this will allow the driver to simply push the steering wheel and dashboard to the other side. Even the steering wheel can be placed in the center of the dashboard, just like McLarenF 1 supercar.
In addition, Volvo also provides two solutions for the dashboard, one is the dashboard screen behind the steering wheel, and the other is the screen that moves with the steering wheel. As for pedals, Volvo's system can use pressure sensing pads, hydraulic or pneumatic sensors, which will be installed in two front foot wells. When the steering wheel is on the left, the pedal sensor on the left will start automatically, and when the steering wheel is on the right, the pedal sensor on the right will start automatically.
In fact, Volvo's idea of sliding the steering wheel is not the first. Mercedes-Benz Unimoc has this special steering wheel. Although not as elegant and creative as Volvo, you can still turn the steering wheel from left to right. You can see the Unimog system in the video below.
It is not surprising that the steering wheel can turn left and right. However, Volvo is thinking about how to get ahead in the game. It will take several years, even decades, to realize the distance that can travel completely from beginning to end. But when that day comes, or has the technology reached that level? 3 or level? Fourth, Volvo's thinking is that it is not necessary to design a specific fixed left-hand drive or right-hand drive for different markets, thus reducing the development cost.
▼ Mercedes? Unimok? U423
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