Mercedes is entering the world of steer-by-wire for the first time. Steer-by-wire, where a car can be steered electronically instead of through a physical connection between the steering wheel and the steering system, is coming to Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker says it will use the steering technology in its upcoming refreshed EQS sedan
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Steer-by-wire systems replace traditional mechanical steering mechanisms that include rods and gears with electronically controlled servos. Typically used in airplanes, the electronic system takes inputs from the driver and transmits them to electronic actuators that then control the direction of the car's wheels.
Mercedes says it's not abandoning electromechanical steering entirely. It plans to offer versions of the EQS with traditional steering technology, in addition to the steer-by-wire models. The automaker put more than a million test kilometers (over 621,000 miles) on the odometer with the new system before approving it for production. It's also using a redundant system architecture, in addition to high-precision sensors and powerful control units, to ensure it meets the brand's safety standards.
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Along with steer-by-wire, the EQS will also feature a new yoke-style steering wheel that is sure to divide Mercedes fans. The look is similar to something you’d find in a race car or even an airplane cockpit. Many automakers have tried to make yoke-style steering wheels appealing, including Tesla, Lexus, and Toyota. At CES, Hyundai showed off a very impressive Ioniq 5 with fully lateral steering wheels.
However, many automakers have issued recalls after backlash from owners and safety advocates, so it remains to be seen whether Mercedes will remain on the yoke.
Mercedes says the new yoke instantly transforms the EQS interior. The company claims that with a flatter steering wheel, drivers will have an unobstructed view of the instrument cluster, as well as easier entry and exit from the vehicle.
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Early reactions to the new EQS are quite positive. The Drive praised it as “a yoke-style steering wheel that actually works,” while InsideEVs called the steer-by-wire system “the best around” — but stopped short of praising the yoke individually.
