Ford will offer next-level handling in its cars in the future. The carmaker filed a patent for a steering wheel that can move in just about any direction, preparing for fully autonomous driving.
Steering wheels do move. The driver can adjust height, can tilt them, push them forward, or pull them closer, depending on their stature, using either a button or a handle. But Ford has come up with the idea of a steering column that is not only telescopic but can also move around, doubling as an assist handle.
The solution would be especially helpful on Ford's SUVs and pickup trucks with impressive ground clearance. For instance, the Ford F-350 Super Duty Regular Cab, which is the lowest of the series, sits 9.7 inches (246 millimeters) from the ground.
Ford filed the patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on June 29, and it was published this year, having been assigned serial number 0001983. The official document describes how the technology would work and how it would simplify getting inside the car and getting out of it.
A sensor would sense the proximity of the user, analyze their build, and control the position of the steering wheel into one of the positions based on the characteristics of the user.
Photo: United States Patent and Trademark Office
For instance, if a tall individual is detected, the handle moves into a position that would be of help to them. The move would be different for a short person who will need a lower position of the handle.
This means that the unit would slide around automatically, based on user data, such as their identity or physical stature, easing ingress and egress by offering the necessary physical support.
The steering wheel could move upward or downward, outward or inward, as well as adjust the tilt angle to help the person step inside with ease. Once the driver is seated, the steering wheel would slide back into the necessary position, also tailored to the driver’s needs.
It may not sound like much, but remember the upper section of the F-Series lineup and the height these pickup trucks come with. Having the steering wheel turned into a grab handle for climbing into the driver’s seat would significantly simplify access, especially for those of smaller stature.
According to health.com, the average American man is 5 foot 9 inches (1,79 meters) tall, while the average American woman sits at 5 foot 4 inches (1,64 meters).
The file that Ford sent to the United States Patent and Trademark Office last summer also mentions measurements of the bone structure of the individual that the system would consider in order to provide the best position.
The adjustments that the driver makes would be stored in the memory of the system and offered the next time the same person gets in the driver’s seat.
The technology would be based on a steer-by-wire system, similar to what the new Tesla Cybertruck is using.
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