Get in the car. Look for the pedals. They are not here. The steering wheel? It's there, but it's not how you remember it. Try reopening the eyes, but it's not a dream: it's the future (maybe). To be precise, the future of car controls according to Stellantis. The automotive giant would like to redefine the way we interact with our cars. What do you think about it? Let's see what it's about.
The revolution of car controls by Stellantis
Stellantis, you know, is the mega automotive conglomerate that brings together iconic brands such as Fiat, Chrysler, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Jeep e Peugeot . The group has a new patent has been filed which could radically change car controls as we know them. The basic idea? A single device to control all the main functions of the vehicle. A flying yoke. Do you know what it is?
The heart of this innovation is a yoke-type steering wheel, similar to the yoke found in airplanes. But the similarities with aviation don't stop there. The new car control system proposed by Stellantis works like this:
- Turns to steer;
- Push to accelerate;
- You roll to brake.
This approach completely eliminates the need for foot controls, concentrating all driving functions in a single device.
Can it work? I have to think about it.
The idea has its own underlying logic that is flawless (see the next paragraph), but this doesn't stop me from being perplexed, and quite a lot. In a land vehicle, inertia could be a very real problem with 'pull to slow down' and 'push to speed up'.
Common scenarios for everyday driving (going over a speed bump at a slightly higher than recommended speed, a child pulling a kick to the seat driver) could become problematic with this car control system.
Of course, it would also have potential benefits
The new car controls system could offer significant advantages in certain situations:
- Accessibility: People with lower limb disabilities could benefit greatly from a fully manual steering system.
- Autonomous driving: In a future where manual driving could become the exception, this system would allow for retractable steering wheels that disappear into the dashboard when not in use.
- Driving simulations: The system could be ideal for racing simulators, where the driver is not subjected to real G-forces.
The future of car controls: between innovation and tradition
This is when I remind you that the presentation of a patent does not guarantee the implementation of the technology. And it is also where I remind you that history is still a teacher. And it teaches us that the filing of a patent shows serious intentions, in this case from Stellantis, to explore this technology for future models.
A technology that, if successfully implemented, could push other manufacturers to reconsider their approaches to car controls on the road to autonomous driving. Clearly it would be necessary to update road rules, get drivers used to it, and above all show that the new system is as safe, if not more so, than the current one.
All things considered, however: evolution or involution?
Stellantis' patent raises fundamental questions about the future of driving. Are we witnessing a gradual evolution of car controls or an involution?
The future of driving could be very different from what we know today. Whether it's a multifunction yoke steering wheel or something else yet to be invented, the car controls of the future will redefine our experience behind the wheel.
Are we ready to lead (or be led) like this?
