Automakers are allowed to release cars without steering wheel!
On March 10th, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued the final Occupant Protection Safety Standard for Vehicles Without Driving Controls.
The standard specified that self-driving car no longer needed to be equipped with conventional manual controls to meet the safety regulations for occupant in a crash, which means automakers can legally produce self-driving cars without steering wheels and pedals for commercial use, without being hampered by old regulations.
NHTSA described the standard as “historic step”, which showed its importance to promote the development of high-level autonomous driving vehicles.
As a part of high-level autonomous driving system, the Steer-By-Wire system is approved for road use. In other words, it is considered as safe as a conventional passenger car steering system.
By replacing conventional steering components with Steer-By-Wire technology, you will gain the following advantages:
* Significantly reduce the transmission components, such as steering wheel and steering column
* Decrease the overall weight and increase fuel economy
* Promote operational accuracy and efficiency
* Eliminate the maintenance of hydraulic systems and other mechanical adjustments
