The development race for steer-by-wire (SBW) has begun, with ZF and JTEKT in the lead. Its high compatibility with end-to-end autonomous driving is a key factor, and the central competitive challenge is how to combine redundancy with lower costs.
ZF of Germany and Japan's JTEKT are leading the development race for SBW, a technology attracting attention in the chassis domain. Using a structural design that eliminates the conventional mechanical shaft, the companies aim to achieve both redundancy and lower costs.
SBW is highly compatible with end-to-end autonomous driving, and is seen as potentially creating new design possibilities as electrification and autonomous driving become more integrated. Companies are competing through innovations such as disassembling and reconfiguring steering units and integrating sensors.
The competition centers on improving reliability, reducing manufacturing costs and ensuring redundancy across the overall system. Developments at other companies, including Bosch and Astemo, are also being monitored, and the technology race around SBW could shape future trends in automotive design.
Future areas of interest may include implementing end-to-end driving functions in vehicles equipped with SBW and the expected timing of their market launches. The article outlines the strategies and innovations of the companies involved.