Why is the BMW iNext’s steering wheel not circular?
Actually, one can also question why manufacturers tend to incorporate steering wheels which are not in the conventional circular shape for future autonomous vehicles. Is it because it looks cool? To mimic race car steering wheels? Actually it is for practical reasons, which BMW have explained, specifically in reference to the iNext.
You remember the iNext, right? Click on the preceding blue letters if not. Might as well get a refresher, because the company says it will be produced from 2021. In a nutshell, it’s a fully electric vehicle with an SUV shape that offers Level 3 autonomous driving tech.
Where were we? Oh, why the steering wheel is not circular…
To copy race car steering wheels
Okay, this is more to make entry and exit easier. The flat-bottomed designed ensures that the steering doesn’t get in the way. The narrative remains consistent – one of the big benefits of autonomous driving is that passengers can get more comfort in the larger cabin. Remember: this is a Level 3 autonomous vehicle, so the steering wheel does not hide/back away into the dashboard when the car drives itself.
Orientation
A circular steering wheel does not immediately show what direction the wheels are pointed at. However, by making the top- and bottom-half of the steering flat, the driver can immediately know what the steering angle is, even before actually touching it. Particularly important when the car wants the driver to regain manual control quickly.
You see the instrument panel better
The iNext’s instrument cluster and curved display wants to tell you a lot of things. So perhaps better to not make it difficult for the driver. A circular steering wheel could very well get in the (visual) way.
It lights up
The iNext’s steering wheel will come with optical fibres in the side sections which light up. The different colours indicate to the driver of the availability of highly automated driving functions. More importantly, it can tell when the driver should take manual control. Sure, this can be incorporated in a regular circular steering shape, but it just won’t be as cool.
