The US allows cars without a steering wheel to work

Although many people think that car without a steering wheel will lose the feeling of steering, but the ability to move automatically is what most people car production towards. Their ultimate goal is to maximize the safety of their cars.

Many studies have demonstrated that the system driver assistance Advanced technology is a fundamental factor in reducing collisions and accidents, but neither technology nor the current road network can maintain a vehicle that is fully autonomous thanks to a computer system.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently revealed a new rule it’s passed that will directly affect future cars capable of autonomous driving. onion.

This rule is an update of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard for passenger protection, which applies only to cars assembled without a traditional automotive control unit (steering wheel). . The new rule clarifies that with a car fully capable of driving itself without human intervention, manufacturers are not required to install steering or other common controls such as pedals. .

“Over the years, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s mission has been to ensure safety standards keep pace with the evolution of autonomous driving and driver assistance systems,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. . “This new rule is an important step, setting strong safety standards for vehicles equipped with autonomous driving assistance (ADS).”

NHTSA chief Dr. Steven Cliff said, “As the driver changes from a person to a machine in ADS-equipped vehicles, the need to keep passengers safe remains the same and must be integrated. with this rule, we make sure that manufacturers put safety first.”

Before this modification was made, the standards specified that regardless of the car’s capabilities, the usual car controls should be in the cabin. This modification will significantly benefit manufacturers that have invested in designing self-driving cars for the US market with cabins without a steering wheel and other controls.

The new rule includes making everything from seat belts, airbags and even sun visors secure. In addition, children are also prohibited from sitting in the driver’s seat in the vehicle.

NHTSA said it pushed for the regulation because it also wanted to ensure the safety of road users with the rapid growth of autonomous vehicles. The agency will also continue to work to safely test these technologies by collecting and analyzing data, studying human factors, and managing planning and implementation.

Rectangular steering wheel on Tesla Model S.

The idea of ​​removing the steering wheel from the cabin is nothing new and forms an important part of future interior design. Tesla is a pioneer with the use of a rectangular steering wheel on the Tesla Model S that is less dependent on humans. Meanwhile, Audi is more cautious with the collapsible steering system in its Skysphere concept cars.