TRW developing fully-retractable steering wheel to aid elderly

Filed under: Concept Cars, Safety, Technology



With the over-65 population growing at a rapid rate (36.9 million in 2009 and set to hit 72.1 million by 2030), automakers are intent on making driving easier for the elderly. To that end, automotive supplier TRW is developing a folding steering wheel concept that retracts into the dashboard, allowing older drivers to get in and out with ease.

The wheel is bisected into two smaller handles that fold inward when the vehicle is shut down, mounting nearly flush with the rest of the dashboard. When the driver gets back in, the wheel extends outward to the driver's chosen position and can be set at multiple angles for different users.

Ideally, TRW's steering wheel solution would be part of a larger initiative to make driving easier for people with limited mobility, and partnered with voice commands and more legible buttons and interfaces, the wheel could be part of a elderly-focused equipment package as early as 2016. Full details in the press blast after the break.Continue reading TRW developing fully-retractable steering wheel to aid elderly

TRW developing fully-retractable steering wheel to aid elderly originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Jul 2011 12:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



Permalink | Email this | Comments