Advanced steering wheel ZF for autonomous driving

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Aimed to support Level 3 and above autonomous driving functions, ZF developed an advanced steering wheel concept, helping to enhance safety and driver awareness. The system incorporates gesture control via graphic displays to enhance communication between driver and vehicle, and advanced hands-on detection technology.

Gesture control is employed to trigger various functions as chosen by the vehicle manufacturer, working intuitively through gestures commonly used on phones or other smart devices, such as single tap on the cover, or a douple tap or tap and swipe at the rim. The gestures are supported and confirmed by a center display and accompanying graphic and light display. A seven-inch LCD display in the center of the steering wheel rim indicates if the driver or the car is in control. Additionally, a LED light strip is integrated into the steering wheel rim with blue lights indicating autonomous mode, white lights for manual driving mode and red lights for driver warning.

Accurate hands on/off detection is enabled by 10 capacitive sensors integrated in the outside of the rim, detecting where the driver is gripping the wheel, and one additional on the inside of the rim detecting if an advisable grip is being employed. This will be critical for Level 3 and above autonomous operation. The wheel’s unique configuration presented new challenges as the driver side airbag could not be located in its traditional area due to the centrally located LCD screen. ZF engineers thus designed a new airbag concept which can deploy from the back side of the wheel through the rim and covers the display, thus helping to protect the driver in case of a crash.

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