When it comes to innovation, we know that Tesla knows how to push boundaries. So, it's no surprise that the electric vehicle manufacturer is possibly considering changing one of the most traditional elements of an automobile.
That would be its steering wheel.
According to a report from Electrek, Tesla filed a patent for all-new steering wheel technology. In it, the company describes how it would leverage steering wheel-operated touchscreens, gesture control and haptic feedback to control the vehicle and its respective features.
For those of you that haven't driven Tesla products, they leverage a Mercedes-Benz-sourced column shifter. In the diagrams, it appears that Tesla is proposing moving that to the six o'clock position on the steering wheel.
Having used steering wheel-mounted touch pads to control the instrument panel and infotainment displays in the latest Mercedes-Benz vehicles, I can attest to the fact it's pretty intuitive. You just have to get used to it. A slight learning curve.
The same can be said of Ferrari and Lamborghini's addition of buttons and switchgear to their vehicles' steering wheels. In my opinion, it's actually the way all vehicles should be set up.
That way, drivers' keep their hands on steering wheels more often than not.
So, we've got to wonder:
IF Tesla reinvents the steering wheel, would YOU be down for these changes? What say you?
To read the FULL patent application, click "Read Article," below!
Tesla wants to reinvent the wheel… the steering wheel, that is. The automaker is working on a new steering wheel-based user interface with a bunch of new features, including one replacing the gear stalk, a bunch of touchscreens, haptic feedback, and more, according to a new patent filing.
In order to change gear on a Tesla vehicle, you use a gear stalk attached to the steering wheel, which is uncommon in passenger vehicles other than trucks.
Now it looks like Tesla might be going a step further by removing the gear stalk altogether.
Tesla has filed a new patent for a new steering wheel-based user interface that includes touchscreens on each side and one at the bottom, which replaces the gear stalk, according to the images in the patent filing, as shown above...
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