DRIVING BY WIRE
The whole thought of driving by wire is kind of scary. Think of it -- no mechanical connections between the steering wheel and the steering parts of the vehicle.
Far fetched? Not really. Fighter aircraft have been using fly-by-wire technology for more than 20 years and we suspect the tolerances for failure in a multi-million-dollar, nuke-bearing airplane are a lot tighter than those for the average commuter automobile.
OK, so we know the stuff works. What's next? It's really an issue of time and acceptance. Fighter jets are flown by people who truly understand the systems -- "weapons platforms" in military terms -- and have government-issued faith in the controls. When it comes to a highway-bound vehicle, the faith might not be there.
Talk is cheap, and steer-by-wire systems are anything but. This is probably a supply, demand and regulatory situation. It might even be easier to persuade the public than the government.
The technology behind steer-by-wire is actually simple -- no more complicated than electromechanical servos. Input at the steering device (it no longer needs to be a wheel in the traditional sense) is converted into electronic signals, is transmitted down wires and positions the servo at the distant end in a pre-calibrated manner. The wiring probably will be triple-redundant, as in aircraft uses.
Here's a safety bonus: The steering column, even with the use of air bags, still is a common cause of injury in vehicle accidents. Automakers could get rid of steering columns and replace the "feel" of the steering with synthetic feedback. Engineers might be able to create specialized "feels" for certain driving situations or common malfunctions. The steering device also could pulse at a particular rhythm, for instance, when low air pressure is detected in a tire.
Right now, there are several implementation plans for steer-by-wire. Want to see one? Take a trip to a dealership featuring a "Quadrasteer" vehicle in the line-up -- yup, rear steering done by wire. It's only a matter of time. Want more info? Use Internet keywords "steer," "wire" and "auto" to get lots of hits.
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