by Presentation of the Innovative Steering Wheel
Companies Autoliv and Tensor have introduced the world’s first folding steering wheel designed for autonomous driving. This development, first announced last year, is debuting in the Tensor Robocar. Its key feature is the ability of the steering wheel to retract into the dashboard when it is not needed.
How the System Works
When the car activates Level 4 autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel rim automatically folds, aligning with the angle of the steering column, and then fully retracts into the dashboard. This significantly increases space and enhances comfort for the person in the cabin. Meanwhile, the central screen shifts to provide entertainment for the passenger while the car independently performs all driver functions.
When exiting autonomous mode, the process occurs in reverse order: the screen returns to the central position, and the steering wheel extends from the dashboard, ready for manual control.
Safety Questions and New Solutions
The innovative design, which abandons a fixed steering wheel, raised an important safety question, as the driver’s airbag is traditionally located precisely in the steering wheel. Autoliv and Tensor engineers found a solution by developing a new safety system.
They created a system that uses two different airbags and is capable of determining whether a human is driving the car or if it is in autonomous mode.
During manual control, the airbag in the steering wheel deploys in the usual manner. However, in autonomous mode, an airbag embedded in the dashboard itself is activated and deploys in case of an accident. The developers claim that both options provide an equally high level of protection.
Dual Approach and Developer Comments
Tensor CEO Jay Xiao stated: “Fully autonomous technologies provide a revolutionary user experience, but manual control in certain situations is still desirable for many people. Our dual approach with a folding steering wheel combines the best of both worlds and gives customers freedom of choice.”
He also added that previously, folding steering wheels existed only in concept cars, but now this innovation will be implemented in mass-produced series vehicles for everyday use.
Details about the Tensor Robocar
As previously reported, the launch of the Tensor Robocar is planned for later this year, and production will be established in Vietnam at VinFast’s facilities. The car is positioned as a “luxury crossover SUV.” Among its features are rear “coach” doors and so-called SignalScreens, which can communicate with other road users using CarMoji.
Full technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, but it is known that the Robocar will have a 112 kWh battery pack and an advanced sensor suite. This suite will include 37 cameras, 5 lidars, 11 radars, 22 microphones, 10 ultrasonic sensors, 3 inertial measurement units (IMU), a GNSS system, 16 collision detectors, 8 water level sensors, 4 tire pressure sensors, and 1 smoke sensor. It is important to note that this car is being developed for private use, not for work in taxi fleets or car-sharing.
The emergence of such a car with a folding steering wheel could become an important step in transforming the cabin and human-vehicle interaction. This is not just a technical novelty, but a paradigm shift where the interior ceases to be a rigidly fixed “driver’s cockpit” and becomes an adaptive space. The success of this concept will depend not only on the reliability of the mechanisms but also on how quickly society and legislation are ready to accept cars where the driving function becomes optional. The safety of the dual airbag system will undoubtedly be one of the main issues for certification and consumer trust.
