BMWs shapeshifting steering wheel can turn into a yoke
When designing a new car, BMW usually aims at one of two goals, extreme luxury or extreme performance, but in recent years we can see that there were several attempts to combine the two. It’s an interesting concept when you think about it, but is it as realistic as BMW hopes it to be? [i]
Well, it’s not only an idea, after all. BMW is already working on it. And we have found one project falls neatly into this way of thinking,
A patent for a reinvented steering wheel was filed by BMW with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), it describes a regular-looking steering wheel that can easily change to a yoke shape with the push of a button
Basically, the steering wheel shape will be controlled through a lever similar to that controlling the height and position of the wheel.
When the driver wishes to transform his wheel, he can simply actuate the lever, or alternatively push a button that will control the operation electronically.
The yoke-shaped steering wheel is not a new thing, in the last few years, we have seen several attempts to implement it, especially in “futuristic” cars, brands like Tesla and Lexus developed their own. Even BMW has tried it before.
But what we haven’t talked about until now is the “Why?”. Why – as a driver- would I need a shape-shifting wheel? especially when you consider the bigger price tag that would surely follow it.
Well, the most logical answer is that BMW wishes to give the drivers the most immersive driving experience, giving them the luxury feel of a classical steering wheel, and when needed, the edginess and excitement associated with the Yoke shape when driving in sports mode.
Anyway, there’s no proof that the new steering wheel will go into production anytime soon. But BMW’s insistence on having working alternatives to the regular steering wheel means that we will surely see it on the roads eventually.
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