Despite the fact that the market is still not fully self-driving cars, major automakers are seriously thinking about the future in this direction. Many notable cars anyway working on creating autopilot systems or develop new models that allow the driver to control only partially the trip. Observing this process, it becomes clear that in the future it will be possible to completely get rid of such familiar controls like the steering wheel and pedals. Concern Ford, for example, even issued a corresponding patent.
To date, us legislation insists that any unmanned vehicle, no matter how safe he may be, is mandatory equipped with a steering wheel and pedals. In the case electronics suddenly fails and a person will need to take it over. But getting rid of classic controls, according to many experts, it is only a matter of time. And major car manufacturers understand this. Ford motor company has registered a patent that describes a fully removable pedals and steering wheel. A cautious option of foresight: something intermediate between traditional cars and what awaits us in the future.
The patent was submitted in February 2016, and officially registered it only last Thursday, August 10. The solution proposed by Ford, is far from ideal. Indeed, in the case when the wheel is removed, engineers will have to figure out where to place a duplicate bag. To incorporate such technology, the car interior will have to be reinvented. Too much will need to calculate and change. Too much humanity has become accustomed to the steering wheel and pedals and too much revolves around these two mechanisms.
Company Ford patented detachable wheel and pedals for Autonomous cars
Sergey Grey