Steering Wheel HMI Design Trends

As an important part of human-computer interaction, the steering wheel is the component that the driver has the most contact with. Over the years, the design of the steering wheel has undergone subtle changes, and its functionality has gradually increased. For example, functions such as cruise control, music control, and car phone can all be achieved through the steering wheel. Today, under the trend of intelligence and digitalization, the steering wheel is also developing in the direction of intelligence and digitalization.

Analysis of the current status of steering wheel design

The steering wheels in the picture below are the steering wheels of several cars in 2019 and 2020. Most of them adopt a relatively flat design. In the middle of the steering wheel, there is mostly a design with a brand logo, while on the left and right sides, there are mostly up and down buttons, levers, scroll wheels, and induction-type designs that tend to be physical buttons combined with induction-type designs.

The existing steering wheels have many similarities in overall design, and look simple and elegant, and are called multi-function steering wheels. They integrate functions such as music control, answering calls, abnormal vibration, lane keeping, and adaptive cruise control.

Future steering wheel design

Digitalization and intelligence are influencing the design of car steering wheels. The large screen in the steering wheel integrates some functions of the central control, making it more functional. The driver no longer has to twist his body to control the corresponding content, but can directly operate on the steering wheel, thereby maximizing the elimination of driver distraction. The steering wheel without physical buttons undoubtedly provides designers with more design space.

In terms of functions, the digital steering wheel design adds multifunctional designs such as seat adjustment, driving mode, information monitoring, navigation, etc. For example, Byton's steering wheel design combines a touch LCD screen with physical buttons, which not only meets user habits (better blind operation), increases functional design and safety, but also adds a sense of technology to the entire vehicle.

byton-M-Byte

Mercedes-Vision-EQ

In addition to adding some touch functions, the design of the Nissan IMK steering wheel also thoughtfully adds a steering wheel heating design. The seamless connection combined with the borderless display design further enhances the car's sense of technology.

Nissan IMK

The design of visualizing the driver's emotions and physical state provides some support for people to pay attention to health in their busy lives. The MSD (efficiency mass spring damper) model is added to the steering wheel to monitor the driver's arm muscles to monitor the driver's mental stress. And timely stress management intervention is carried out through in-situ sensing. In this way, combined with emotion recognition, eye tracking and other technologies, driving safety is better guaranteed.

In order to save internal space, under the trend of autonomous driving, the retractable and detachable steering wheel design (extends when needed, retracts when not needed) provides users with more movable space. At the same time, it can better meet the application scenarios of future L3/L4/L5 semi-automatic and active driving.

These retractable steering wheels include: BMW-Vision-Next-100, BMW-Vision-iNext, Audi-AI-ME, Nissan-IMS, Nissan-IMS, Peugeot E-Legend, Volkswagen-ID and many other models.

BMW-Vision-Next-100

BMW-Vision-iNext

Audi-AI-ME

Nissan-IMS

Nissan-IMX

Volkswagen-ID

Peugeot E-Legend

In addition to the retractable steering wheel, let's take a look at the Jaguar smart detachable steering wheel called Sayer. This steering wheel can be triggered by intelligent voice. You don't need to buy a car, you only need a steering wheel. When you need a car, just say to the steering wheel: hey, Sayer! I want a car, and then a Jaguar will automatically drive to your door. After the steering wheel is installed, you can directly tell the steering wheel the destination you want to reach, and you can just pull out the steering wheel and leave when you get off the car. This is a good design for shared cars.

Sayer

Will the steering wheel disappear?

Will the steering wheel disappear in the environment of autonomous driving? The editor believes that in the future, the steering wheel may disappear in the environment of autonomous driving and shared cars. In the field of private cars in the future, retractable and detachable steering wheels may become standard for cars, because people still want to experience the fun of driving. In racing, the steering wheel will not disappear.

Universal steering wheel-free design

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