ZF wants to fit screen on steering wheels

Vehicle manufacturers today are placing increasing numbers of screens in their cars, some with up to three or four screens.

This time, ZF will ‘join in’ on the addition of screens in vehicles. The latest design, called ZF Lifetec, will have a screen on the steering wheel. The airbag is retained but it does not deploy from the center, instead from the top of the steering wheel.

In this way, it will provide space in the middle of the steering wheel for a ‘smartphone-like display’, says ZF. The company is considering placing the screen in the center or multiple displays.

This provides more freedom for manufacturers to design steering wheels without compromising safety.

The team behind this project explains that it doesn’t necessarily have to be a full screen in the steering wheel area. It could also be a mixed configuration like several physical buttons.

The space in the middle of the steering wheel also allows engineers to place additional sensors in cars equipped with autonomous driving systems. Such sensors can determine whether you are paying attention to driving or not.

What if an accident occurs when our hands are at the 12 o’clock position? Ideally, our hands should be at 9 and 3 or 10 and 2.

Some argue that we are not Formula One drivers who need to adjust various settings on the steering wheel while driving. Others say that engineers should focus on other aspects rather than redesigning the steering wheel.

With the instrument display in front of the steering wheel and infotainment on the center console, it seems like we already have plenty of screens. What do you think of this?