Mercedes adds steer-by-wire — and the dang steering yoke — to the EQS

Steer-by-wire, in which the car can be steered electronically instead of a physical connection between the steering wheel and steering rack, is coming to Mercedes-Benz. The German automaker says it will use the steering technology in its next production Updated EQS sedanits first foray into the world of steer-by-wire.

Steer-by-wire systems replace traditional mechanical steering mechanisms that include racks and pinions with electronically controlled servos. Commonly used in airplanes, the electronic system takes input from the driver and transmits it to electronic actuators that then control the direction of the wheels in the car.

Mercedes says it’s not ditching electromechanical steering entirely; It plans to ship versions of the EQS with conventional steering technology as well as models with steering by wire. The automaker put more than 1 million test kilometers (more than 621,000 miles) on the odometer with the new system before approving it for production. It also uses a redundant system architecture as well as high-precision sensors and powerful controllers to ensure it meets the brand’s safety standards.

Mercedes says the new yoke instantly changes the interior of the EQS. The company says that with a flat steering wheel, drivers will have an unrestricted view of the instrument cluster, as well as easier entry and exit from the car. But you can’t rule out having something you can grab onto while cornering at high speeds, for example. The steering wheel can also provide padding to relieve pressure during long trips.

Early feedback on the new EQS has been very positive. drive He praised it as “a guiding yoke that actually works,” while InsideEVs He called the steer-by-wire system “the best ever” — but stopped short of singly praising the yoke.