The new technology is said to bring enhanced agility, comfort, and autonomous readiness, but at what cost?
- Mercedes has shown its new steer-by-wire system that eliminates mechanical link with the wheels.
- The yoke design improves cabin space, visibility, autonomous and in-car entertainment functions.
- An extensive testing phase ensures safety with redundant architecture and backup systems.
Mercedes is working on a new steer-by-wire system set to arrive in production vehicles by 2026, accompanied by a yoke-shaped steering wheel. Joining the likes of Tesla, General Motors, Geely, Toyota, and Lexus, the German automaker is jumping on the steer-by-wire bandwagon, which replaces the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and wheels with an electrical cable.
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While we don’t know exactly which model will get this upgrade first, a camouflaged prototype of the facelifted EQS recently popped up, and it’s rumored to be the car leading the charge. The electric sedan is expected to debut next year, possibly sporting the yoke-shaped wheel. The new S-Class might follow suit, along with the next generation of their ICE-powered models.
According to Mercedes, the new steer-by-wire system offers “superior driving characteristics,” which they say translates into a more responsive feel on the open road and greater agility in urban environments. The system is also designed to make parking easier, eliminating the need for the driver to re-grip the wheel. As an added bonus, it’s adaptable to various vehicle types and architectures, providing a wider range of settings for comfort or sportiness.
Yoke: A Solution Searching For A Problem
Mercedes-Benz
The company claims the yoke-shaped steering wheel frees up space in the cockpit, making it easier to get in and out of the car, while also providing an unobstructed view of the digital instrument cluster. With no mechanical connection to the wheels, the yoke can even be used for gaming and is more suited for autonomous vehicles.
However, Mercedes’ decision to adopt it is questionable. While it may open up space, it makes basic tasks like turning at low speeds or parking awkwardly difficult, leaving drivers missing the comfort and control of a traditional steering wheel. It seems more like a solution in search of a problem, prioritizing style and novelty over practicality and driving ease.
More: Tesla Tries, And Fails, To Reinvent The Steering Wheel With Its Yoke
Mercedes’ steer-by-wire system has clocked over one million kilometers on test benches, with a similar distance covered on proving grounds and in regular road traffic conditions. For safety, the system includes redundant architecture, onboard data, and a backup power supply, ensuring the driver can always steer the vehicle. Additionally, in the unlikely event of a complete failure, lateral guidance remains possible thanks to rear-axle steering and targeted braking interventions on individual wheels.
Markus Schafer, Mercedes-Benz’s CTO, sees steer-by-wire as a major step toward the future of mobility. He says, “The technology enables a unique customer experience that goes far beyond steering alone. In combination with SAE Level 3 conditionally automated driving, it will enable an even more immersive entertainment experience in the medium term. The flat steering wheel will provide a better view of the display when streaming your favorite show, for example.”
Steering Wheels, Joysticks, And Yokes
Mercedes also likes to remind us that Carl Benz’s 1886 Patent Motorwagen, the first automobile, had a steering crank, and that the first traditional steering wheel appeared in the 1894 Panhard 4HP. Since then, the company has dabbled with alternative steering systems in concept cars, including the futuristic joysticks found in the 1996 F200 Imagination and the F-Cell Roadster from 2009.
Currently, other production vehicles with steer-by-wire systems include the Tesla Cybertruck, GMC Hummer EV, Rolls-Royce Spectre, Lotus Eletre, and the Lexus RZ 405e. The latter will be the first to introduce this technology to Europe later this year.