Steer-by-Wire

Steer-by-Wire (SbW) enables advanced features and functionality not possible with traditional steering systems because it replaces the mechanical 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. SbW emulates the “feel of the road,” offers a wide performance range (including sporty, luxury, comfort, etc.) and enhances maneuverability through our dynamic variable steering ratio.

The SbW system is comprised of three building blocks:

Handwheel Actuator (HWA) that receives driver steering input and converts it into a digital command to the roadwheels,
Roadwheel Actuator (RWA) that receives steering commands and moves the road wheels accordingly while communicating road feel feedback to the driver via the HWA
Systems Software & Integration that enables constant communication within the SbW system, with other vehicle systems and with the Cloud, environment and surrounding infrastructure

OEM BENEFITS: Unlock SbW’s Full Potential

Economies of scale can bridge OEMs’ perceived affordability gap between traditional steering systems to SbW and unlock the full potential of SbW’s impact on an OEM’s operations and products (and most importantly – unlock new levels of safety and performance for even more drivers)!

Scalable, affordable SbW requires OEMs to take a creative, holistic platform approach to product planning and sourcing (vs. a vehicle-to-vehicle approach or small percentage volume subset approach).

Increases extensive component reuse & standardization – SbW, the ONLY SINGLE steering system with application across…
- Left-hand drive, right-hand drive
- ALL vehicle segments (small cars to HD trucks)
- ALL propulsion types
- ALL ADAS Levels – Hands-on & Hands-off
Eliminates intermediate shafts
Reduces rack bar variants across ALL vehicle weights
Reduces component inventory, space and management costs
Reduces assembly time, simplifies roadwheel-handwheel alignment
Opens valuable underhood space: More flexible under-hood packaging and front of dash design (especially important in EV packaging)
IGNITES CONSUMER EXCITEMENT & SALES: Enables BOLD cockpit designs, NEW safety and performance features only achievable with SbW (vs. traditional steering) – reinvents behind-the-wheel experiences.

DRIVER BENEFITS: Safety & Performance

Because SbW’s Steering Wheel and Road Wheels are linked electronically instead of mechanically, SbW enables new possibilities for advanced safety, performance and comfort.

Enhanced Safety, Stability Control & Compensation for weather and road conditions, plus shorter braking distance.
Easier Parking, More Control, Better Cornering: Dynamic Steering Ratio – at low speeds (parking lot or tight corner,) steering is more responsive and reduces the number of steering wheel turns; at high speeds (highway) is less sensitive for smoother control.
More Excitement, More Tailored, More YOU: SbW immerses drivers into a “branded” driving experience – with highly tuned steering feel (luxury, sporty, truck-feel, etc.) Steering assist could also potentially be tailored for drivers with limited range of motion such as in aging populations, etc.
Expanded Comfort & Cabin Space via Quiet Wheel™ Steering & Stowable Column: Keeps steering wheel still during autonomous driving, enhances cabin comfort. It can also be coupled with Stowable Column wherein the steering wheel retracts into the dashboard. SbW + Stow Col can be used across ALL driving scenarios (L0-5).
Enhanced Safety – Collision Avoidance & Automatic Emergency Steering (AES): Prevents collisions by automatically adjusting steering to avoid an obstacle if the driver does not respond quickly enough. Because the steering wheel is not mechanically linked, the steering adjustment is seamless to the driver.

BUILT-IN, MULTI-LAYER SAFETY

Four levels of built-in safety ensure the safety net is ALWAYS ON and achieves strict safety requirements:

ROBUSTNESS: Via proven development processes and verifications
REDUNDANCY / HIGH AVAILABILITY: Utilizing dual hardware components and multi-path processing software
PROGNOSTICS & PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE: Software (embedded in system and/or cloud-based) monitors components’ health and predicts issues before they escalate into immediate repair needs
STEER-BY-BRAKE: Yet another software back-up layer that uses the vehicle’s electronic brakes to steer while also controlling speed – enabling safety redundancies WITHOUT added cost or complexity of additional hardware

Award-Winning Steer-by-Wire with Stowable Steering Column Technologies

Our innovative combination of SbW with Stowable Steering Column was recognized as a 2021 Automotive News PACEpilot Innovation to Watch and a CES 2022 Innovation Award Honoree. Our award-winning combination reinvents the “behind-the-wheel” experience and opens an untapped frontier of advanced safety and performance features for autonomous and traditional driving.

When paired together, Nexteer’s SbW with Stowable Steering Column opens a new world of cockpit design options and changes how drivers can use their vehicles – creating the opportunity for OEMs to re-invent and re-purpose the driver’s cabin space.

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.

Steer-by-Wire with Quiet Wheel™ Steering

Our Quiet Wheel™ Steering is an advanced steering software feature that is made possible by SbW. Quiet Wheel™ Steering adds another level of safety, convenience and comfort for drivers by allowing the steering wheel to remain still during SAE ADAS Levels 2-5 maneuvers, as well as automated driving applications.

Keeping the steering wheel still during hands-off ADAS maneuvers like parallel park assist eliminates the potential hazard of a fast-rotating wheel in front of the driver AND creates a more peaceful and comfortable environment in the cabin.

When Quiet Wheel™ Steering is paired with our Stowable Steering Column, the still steering wheel can also retract into the dashboard when automated driving is engaged – thus increasing space for driver comfort and other activities. This creates a more spacious cabin area that allows drivers to take full advantage of automated driving features and gives them more room to enjoy their ride.

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