After they took the place of the analog instrument panels and most of the physical controls in the center console, touch screens may be about to replace physical controls on the steering wheel. At least that's what Hyundai's new steering wheel comes to predict.
The result of a project started in 2015 dedicated to studying the interiors of the future, and which has already gone through four distinct phases, the prototype of a steering wheel with touch screens now presented by Hyundai appears as the Korean brand's answer to the excess of buttons present in the cabin cars, especially steering wheels.
As you would expect, the two screens that appear on the steering wheel created by Hyundai can be customized by the user. As for the information they present, it varies not only according to what is selected by the driver but also according to the driving situation and the menu selected in the instrument panel.
Developments also on the instrument panel
In this fourth interpretation of the cabin of the future, Hyundai also bet on the evolution of the instrument panel, with it presenting itself with 3D visual effects thanks to the application of multi-layer display (MLD®) technology. The model chosen for the application of this futuristic steering wheel was the i30, and Hyundai has a good reason for this choice.
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According to Regina Kaiser, Senior Human Machine Interface Engineer at the Hyundai Technical Center, the choice of the i30 served to “demonstrate that innovations are not limited to higher-end vehicles”, adding that “Hyundai intends to prove that innovations need to be achievable for a broad customer base”.
Developed with the aim of “making life easier for drivers”, the most likely is that the virtual cockpit and steering wheel present in this “special” i30 will not go into production right now, but rather will be integrated into future models of the brand.