Have you ever heard of drive-by-wire technology that even Tesla vehicles like Cybertruck and Roadster use?
It’s a fancy term, but it’s not as complicated as it sounds.
Let’s break it down in simple terms.
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What’s drive-by-wire technology?
Imagine you’re driving a car – usually, when you turn the steering wheel, hit the accelerator, or brake, you use mechanical parts like cables and rods to control the car.
But with drive-by-wire technology, things work a bit differently. Instead of those mechanical parts, electronic systems take over.
Elon Musk in an interview boasted about the drive-by-wire feature recently.
Drive-by-wire technology basically comprises four essential components:
- Brake-by-wire: This system gets rid of physical connections for braking and includes options like electronic parking brakes.
- Shift-by-wire: Instead of using mechanical gearshift connections, it switches to electrical ones.
- Park-by-wire: Instead of using physical connections, park-by-wire activates the parking pawl with electronic signals.
- Steer-by-wire: This system eliminates the need for a direct link between the steering wheel and the wheels. Instead, it uses electronic controls for steering.
How does drive-by-wire technology work?
So now the question: how does it work?
Well, it’s like this — when you hit the accelerator pedal in a car with drive-by-wire, sensors detect your foot’s movement and send signals to a computer.
This computer then tells the engine how much power to give. It’s all electronic, with no mechanical systems involved.
The same goes for steering and braking.
In traditional cars, you turn the steering wheel, and it’s connected to the wheels through a mechanical apparatus.
But with drive-by-wire, turning the wheel sends electronic signals to actuators that turn the wheels for you.
Instead of old-fashioned mechanical controls, this technology uses electronic systems to drive, steer, and brake.
It seems like the perfect add-on for every driver, except for those who love that manual touch in their cars.
For instance, a manual gear shifter or plenty of buttons instead of a touchscreen.
Tesla and other vehicles to adapt to this latest technology
Now, let’s talk about the vehicles currently using this fancy technology and those that are about to introduce it.
The famous Tesla Cybertruck currently uses steer-by-wire technology, a part of the drive-by-wire system that uses electronic controls for steering.
As for the Tesla Roadster, Elon Musk confirmed the addition of drive-by-wire technology into their upcoming models.
In addition to Tesla, a new model of Lotus Electre by Lotus Cars will have this feature, and the car is set to hit the roads in 2025.
Commercial vehicles are appreciating the advancements in vehicles as well.
The REE P7-C is the first commercial truck to be certified to use the drive-by-wire technology.
Why do we need drive-by-wire technology?
And now for the controversial question – is this technology cool?
Well, for starters, it simplifies things.
With fewer mechanical parts, there’s less to go wrong, and maintenance becomes easier.
Plus, it allows for some neat features, like customizable haptic feedback, which gives you a better feel for the road.
But it’s not just about convenience – drive-by-wire also tends to increase safety.
The systems can be programmed to intervene if something goes wrong, like helping you stay in your lane or avoiding a collision.
So, the next time you see a Tesla Cybertruck or Roadster zooming down the road, remember that there’s some pretty smart tech behind it — making driving easier, safer, and more futuristic than ever before.
However, all these safety features still don’t ensure how you drive the thing.
That’s another reason to drive responsibly.
