Ford will launch "Adaptive Steering" to improve the manoeuvrability of its vehicles

Ford will launch a new generation of technology to improve the manoeuvrability of its vehicles. All of this is to make them easier to drive at low speeds and in tight spaces, while also, at higher speeds, making the vehicle more agile and pleasant to drive.

This new manoeuvrability technology is located in the steering wheel and will be available in twelve months on a select range of vehicles. It changes the relationship between the driver’s inputs and the steering wheel (the number of turns of the wheel) and how far the front wheels turn. In other words, the steering ratio changes continuously with the vehicle’s speed, optimising the steering response in any condition.

One application of this new technology is at low speeds, for example when manoeuvring into a parking space or on a narrow street. What this new system does is make the vehicle more agile and easier to turn, as it applies greater turning angle to the wheels, so each manoeuvre requires less steering wheel rotation.

On the other hand, at motorway speeds, Adaptive Steering optimises the steering response, allowing the vehicle to respond more smoothly and precisely, so the driver feels more comfortable and any journey is more enjoyable.

The system devised by Ford uses a precision mechanism integrated into the steering wheel which consists of an electric motor and a gear reduction system, without requiring any change compared with the mechanism of a conventional vehicle.

The result is a better driving experience at any speed, regardless of the size or class of the vehicle.

Source | Ford