Steer-by-Wire: Enables Next-Level Connectivity from Wheel-to-Wheel

A myriad of new technologies are being developed to support the automotive industry’s journey toward electrified, connected and automated vehicles. From batteries and charging networks to advanced steering and driver-assist technologies, these updates come with an increased reliance on software and the vehicle’s ability to “communicate” with other vehicles and its environment.

While technology opens doors, it drives new consideration for OEMs and suppliers, who must find ways to connect increasingly complex components to each other and overcome challenges for both software and hardware.

When it comes to advanced motion control, Steer-by-Wire (SbW) acts as a center-link across all these converging megatrends – enabling advanced features and functionality for future mobility.

What is Steer-by-Wire?

SbW replaces the physical connection between the steering wheel and the roadwheels with algorithms, electronics and actuators. The resulting system unlocks advanced safety and performance features while opening new possibilities for vehicle light-weighting and packaging flexibility.

The SbW system is comprised of two main components, the handwheel actuator (HWA) and the roadwheel actuator (RWA), each of which communicates signals to create a next-level connection between the driver and road. The HWA communicates driver inputs to the roadwheels and returns road surface and steering feel feedback to the driver, while the RWA converts the driver’s inputs into roadwheel actuation and communicates roadwheel feedback to the handwheel actuator.

Next Level Connection Between Driver and the Road

These two actuators come together in the SbW system to bring a next-level connection to the road for both drivers and automakers. For drivers, SbW provides superior steering feel and road feedback, as well as effortless maneuverability through a variable steering ratio that can adapt based on changing road conditions, speeds and more. This means that drivers find it easier to steer into a tight parking spot; feel more steering stability and control on high-speed straightaways; or even feel more comfortable steering over a bumpy road because the feedback into the steering wheel can be softened – or even amped-up for more road feedback and responsiveness if exhilaration is what the driver wants!

SbW also allows independent control of steering wheel and roadwheels. This opens the door for Nexteer’s Quiet Wheel™ Steering which allows the steering wheel to remain still during advanced safety features such as pull compensation, automated park assist, Automatic Emergency Steering and more.

For automakers, this connection and feel of the road is just as important, enabling them to create and maintain their branded steering feeling with nearly limitless steering tuning possibilities. In addition, SbW’s ability to enhance under-hood packaging flexibility and re-use of components across vehicle platforms provides an advantage for OEMs in the midst of a transition to electric vehicles.

Trusted Steering from Wheel-to-Wheel

As vehicles continue to become defined more by software than hardware, components are also becoming more integrated into mechatronic systems. In SbW, this is no different. A vehicle’s HWA and RWA are in constant communication, transmitting information and inputs back and forth between the driver and the road – as well as communicating with a larger set of chassis systems… and even communications from vehicle-to-vehicle, vehicle-to-infrastructures and basically vehicle-to-everything. This means even more improvements to proactive safety, vehicle maintenance and so much more.

SbW is the future of steering because it enables advanced features and functionality not possible with traditional steering systems. As a proven SbW expert, Nexteer is committed to helping our OEM customers make a seamless transition to SbW by leveraging our specialized expertise on safety-critical steering and software and our vehicle integration experience.