From The Drive · Stephen Edelstein · · 40s
Breathing Steering Wheel for Car Control
A steering wheel that breathes could let your car drive with you instead of for you.
In brief
A steering wheel that breathes could let your car drive with you instead of for you. University of Michigan researchers built a steering wheel with air sacs that inflate to communicate with drivers, reducing control fights in semi-autonomous vehicles. Originally reported by The Drive.
University of Michigan tests breathing steering wheel
Researchers built a steering wheel with air sacs that inflate to communicate with drivers in semi-autonomous vehicles.
“The road to fully autonomous driving is a long one, and until we get to that destination, driver-assistance systems that provide some level of automation but still require an attentive driver will continue to be the norm.”
Air sacs signal driver input
Sacs inflate on the left for left turns, allowing drivers to press down to override or confirm.
“If the driver doesn’t want to do that, they can press down to deflate them.”
Drivers report less frustration with system
Test drivers spent less time fighting the system, braked less, and felt more confident in maneuvers.
“Drivers also reported 'lower effort, frustration, and physical demand,' according to a University of Michigan press release.”
The main idea
University of Michigan researchers built a steering wheel with air sacs that inflate to communicate with drivers, reducing control fights in semi-autonomous vehicles.
