Toyota is also undergoing a further development of the steer-by-wire system called Neo Steer, which moves the accelerator and brake controls onto the steering wheel. This is the early stages of development, with no production date set, and the idea behind it is to provide ‘mobility for all’ for drivers who cannot use foot controls.
Driving the new One Motion Grip system
@autocar_official Lexus RZ prototypes will soon feature a steer-by-wire system – we got to test it out in Denmark #autocar #lexus #lexusrz #electriccars #newcars ♬ original sound – Autocar
A previous drive of a One Motion Grip system on a Lexus RZ left me impressed with the technology but hesitant as to whether it had a future because it was so far removed from steering as we know it today. It was too quick, too urgent and often left you having to apply lock on multiple occasions in the same corner – either adding more or taking it off.
This was with the old 150deg ratio but the new 200deg ratio makes it a lot easier and more intuitive to drive and you can at last see a way to production, where it can benefit the way people steer rather than have to relearn and compensate for something overly hyperactive.
The new ratio makes the steering feel less nervous and urgent while also keep its low-speed manoeuvrability. It’s all very natural and you quickly learn to place the car with precision and ease. It’s much easier to reverse the car now than with the old ratio too, the system responding as you’d expect to small inputs.
We also got to try the Neo Steer system, which uses a paddle behind the wheel to brake with your left hand and an actuator for your right thumb to accelerate. This is far less mature and harder to drive anyway, with a much quicker 90deg steer-by-wire ratio. The accelerator and particularly the brake controls were not linear either and it’s easy to get in a muddle.
The sentiment behind the system is fantastic and Toyota will soon hand a prototype over to a Japanese Paralympic athlete it works with for some real-world testing to further develop the system.