Jaguar Land Rover has designed a smart steering wheel concept that can suggest directions and keep the driver focused on the road. The company claims the new technology will be useful in limited visibility conditions.
JLR enlisted the services of a research team from the University of Glasgow, UK, for the project. The sensor-based wheel works like this: there are heat sensors located at both sides of the wheel that can rapidly heat up or cool down to alert the driver about the need to turn, change lane, or slow down. This eliminates the need to look at the dashboard or the phone screen to get directions. You may also customize the temperature range to your liking.
According to Alexandros Mouzakitis, head of Jaguar Land Rover’s electric tech department, the test group had no trouble at all recognizing the hints given by the steering wheel becoming warmer or colder. He also said that this feature would constitute an excellent alternative to the currently adopted vibration and sound-based warnings.
Photo: Jaguar Land Rover