Hyundai Mobis on Monday announced that it has developed foldable steering system technology that enables the folding and unfolding of a steering wheel. This technology is receiving attention as an innovative technology optimised for future mobility vehicles as it can allow for more space in the driver's seat and bring about design innovation.
According to the company, the foldable steering system features a steering wheel that can move forwards and backwards up to 25cm. The company said that the technology development took two years to complete as there has never been a globally commercialised system similar to this. It is currently filing patents globally, the company added.
To develop this system, the company designed new core parts of a steering system, including a column and a reaction force control device, and applied a sliding rail mechanism, securing system durability and reliability.
The system enabled the application of assorted designs, including a storage type where the steering wheel can be retracted into the dashboard and the foldable one.
The new foldable steering system is also compatible with the Steer by Wire (SBW) steering system the company had developed before. The SBW system controls steering with electrical signals by connecting the steering wheel with a device designed to deliver the steering force generated from the steering wheel to the wheels.
The SBW system enables optimal steering performance on the various driving conditions and minimises the vibrations that come from a rumble strip or a speed bump to the steering wheel, allowing the driver to drive comfortably and stably.
Besides, the redundancy design of some core electronic parts, such as sensors and ECU in the system, ensures that the vehicle can maintain normal steering in an emergency.
The company plans to actively respond to the self-driving car market and the future mobility market, including PBV, by further improving its competitiveness with various future technologies, such as the foldable steering system. It also plans to promote the foldable steering system as a major export item.
Jang-don Choi, Managing Director, Chassis/Safety BU, Hyundai Mobis, said. 'Hyundai Mobis goes beyond simply reinterpreting existing technologies and instead develops parts technologies that apply to future cars in totally new ways. We will continue to develop future-oriented innovations based on our know-how of core technologies.'