# Breathing Steering Wheel for Car Control

> A steering wheel that breathes could let your car drive with you instead of for you.
- Title: Breathing Steering Wheel for Car Control · The Drive
- Summary: 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…
- Keywords: university of michigan, steering wheel, air sacs, semi-autonomous driving, driver assistance, haptic zones, cars, technology, Breathing, Steering, Wheel, Car
- Source: The Drive — https://thedrive.com/news/this-creepy-breathing-steering-wheel-is-one-way-your-car-could-drive-with-you-instead-of-for-you
- Author: Stephen Edelstein
- Published: 2026-10-10T19:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: university of michigan, steering wheel, air sacs, semi-autonomous driving, driver assistance, haptic zones, cars, technology
## 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.
## Key takeaway

University of Michigan researchers built a steering wheel with air sacs that inflate to communicate with drivers, reducing control fights in semi-autonomous vehicles.