Scary (who needs a steering column anyway?)

[Richard B]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19979380

[Lord Sorbington]

Saab made a joystick controlled test car back in the early '90s. Clarkson found it difficult to drive.

[smithy]

"We can put the controls in the back seat" eh?
Our steering's already controlled by Memsahib wherever she happens to be sitting, so no big deal.

[Rich_s]

It was only a matter of time and dont see a problem with it, already have gearboxes that are operated by electronics, the throttles are  as well and the brakes run through an ABS system so why not the steering? the handling in most cars is now all done by computer, suppose it was only the clutch and steering left. to mess with.

still prefer the older cars, proper driving that takes effort to so things, its funny watching people who only drive moderns get in a classic, the steering is too heavy for them, as is the clutch, they cant use the gearbox as too difficult for them and watching them brake on a none servo car is just comical :) with instant throttle response from the cable operated carbs instead of the electronic sensor controlled fuel injection it also makes for a kangaroo journey as well :)

just my opinion :)
Rich

[tengah spitfire]

And if a fuse blows at the national limit, and in traffic?

[Dicky Blighter]

Been done for few years on agricultural and other heavy machinery - airport tugs are a good example, driver can spin round 180 degrees in his seat complete with controls when pushing or hooking up to plane then back again to pull and steering changes to suit direction he is facing.

Would make reversing with a trailer a lot easier if you could do that in your car.

Or when the missus is trying to park  ;D

[StagNL]

1. I think Citroen made a development car to try steer by wire something like 10 years ago.

2. Such a system can be made to be very safe.  If you are seriously skeptical of this, then you should avoid aircraft.

[Lord Sorbington]

I think there's some law that there must be a mechanical back up linkage??

Lots of cars are already like this, movement of the steering wheel is detected by sensors which activate the electric steering system so it's really the sensors and motor doing the steering, not physical effort from the driver.  

[GT6 M]

Such a system can be made to be very safe.  If you are seriously skeptical of this, then you should avoid aircraft.
Says Julian.

BUT, div aircraft no have 2 back up systems,(think)(think)(think)

M

[StagNL]

Marcus, aircraft may have a few back-ups but that is still lighter and compacter than hydraulic or mechanical systems.  No reason a few back-ups cannot be fitted to cars too.  I'd imagine that the authorites would prefer something like that.

[smithy]

I want a parachute with mine then.

[yorkshire_spam]

Dicky_Blighter wrote:

Been done for few years on agricultural and other heavy machinery - airport tugs are a good example, driver can spin round 180 degrees in his seat complete with controls when pushing or hooking up to plane then back again to pull and steering changes to suit direction he is facing.

Would make reversing with a trailer a lot easier if you could do that in your car.

Or when the missus is trying to park  ;D

Old JCB 3CIII's are "fly by hydraulic" with no physical connection between steering and wheels - I believe that they changed the system to power assisted to meet UK legal requirements for road registered vehicles in later models (they legally had to have some physical connection between steering and wheels)

[GTRoger]

Good news Lucas isn't in the business anymore...!!