Toyota has filed a patent with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on a new steering wheel system that uses inflatable segments, helping users deliver adequate steering input for safer drives.
Imagine a tiller that shows you where to apply more steering input
In a report first published on CarBuzz, documents from the USPTO show a mechanism for a steering wheel that has a variable rim diameter. This could be achieved by tiny actuators or springs installed around the rim, electronically inflating and contracting the wheel at specific points.
The inflated portion of the wheel increases friction between the rim’s surface and the driver’s grip, indicating the specific direction in which more steering input is needed to safely execute a driving maneuver.
The tech electronically adjusts the steering wheel's rim diameter at specific points
In a car making a right turn, for instance, the driver can underestimate the necessary steering angle, causing the vehicle to go off the road. If the steering wheel expands at the portion corresponding to where the driver’s right hand is, it serves as a tactile indication of where to apply more steering force so that the vehicle can clear the turn properly.
The mechanism can also work with the autonomous steering system, enabling the car to correct its direction of travel even without the driver’s intervention.
Toyota’s patent filing states “a need exists for improved systems for allowing a vehicle to intervene with a driver’s control of a steering wheel without harming or distracting the driver.” Traditional lane-keeping assist systems involve vibration on the steering wheel as well as audible alerts to the driver that the car is deviating from the current lane.
Toyota says this is a less distracting way for drivers to keep their cars on the road
The automaker says that these methods of informing drivers are too distracting, as warning chimes make the driver look away from the road in response to a problem, compromising forward visibility and increasing the risk of accidents. If the technology makes its way into future Toyota vehicles, it could be added to the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver-assist features, which includes a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and dynamic radar cruise control.
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Know more about Toyota
For the local market, Toyota Philippines offers 22 car models. The most affordable of these is the Toyota Wigo hatchback. Toyota also has three sedan models namely the Vios, the Corolla Altis, and the Camry. It then has one entry to the pickup truck segment, the Hilux. For coupes, Toyota Philippines offers two models: the GT 86 and the Supra. The Toyota local SUV segment has four models. These include the Fortuner, Land Cruiser, and Land Cruiser Prado. The Toyota MPV segment for the Philippines has three models: the Avanza, Rush, and the Innova. Then there are two Toyota vans in the Philippine market: the Hiace and the Hiace Super Grandia. For hatchbacks, there's the Wigo, the GR Yaris, Prius, and the Yaris, while the minivan segment then has the Alphard. And lastly, the crossovers sold by Toyota include the Corolla Cross, and the RAV4.
Here at Philkotse.com, we provide the complete Toyota Philippines Price list for 2023, which we update on a monthly basis. Besides that, we also list the latest and hottest car promos ranging from low monthly amortizations, cash discounts, and low downpayments.
For more information about the Toyota Philippines price list for 2023, as well other details regarding the brand, continue below.
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