Ford Receives Patent for Steer-by-Wire System

Ford is following other automakers in developing a steer-by-wire system, a recently discovered patent application reveals.

The application in question was published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on November 19, 2024, but was filed by Ford just over two years earlier, on November 14, 2022. However, the patent does not address steer-by-wire as a concept, but rather a specific feature for one of these systems.

Steer-by-wire eliminates the physical connection between the steering wheel and the road surface. This can be problematic for drivers who use the steering wheel as a grab handle when getting in and out of the car.

As described in the patent application, Ford's solution is to use sensors to determine when the driver is about to enter or exit the vehicle and to hold the steering wheel in position in case the driver wants to use it as a steering wheel It is to send a signal to the actuator to apply torque.

Steer-by-wire technology gradually gained interest from automakers after Infiniti introduced it in its Q50 sedan in 2013. Toyota developed its own system, combined with a steering yoke, which is currently used in the Lexus RZ electric crossover in markets outside the U.S. A patent application in 2023 suggested that Toyota was considering bringing this system to the U.S., as well.

Tesla's Cyber truck also uses steer-by-wire, and Apple filed a patent for its own system in 2019 as part of the tech giant's now-defunct EV project.