Reimagining the Steering Wheel Together Competition!
Come join us in reinventing the (steering) wheel!
Today, we’re embarking on an exciting journey to reimagine one of the most fundamental components of driving. As technology continues to evolve and our understanding of user experience deepens, we believe there's tremendous potential for innovation in this essential aspect of the driving experience.
But we can't do it alone. We need your creativity, your insights, and your unique perspectives to help us push the boundaries of what's possible. Envision a future where the steering wheel becomes more than just a tool for navigation, but a gateway to an entirely new driving experience.
This is your opportunity to be a part of that future. Share your thoughts, your dreams, and your wildest ideas with us. Together, let's unlock the full potential of the steering wheel and redefine what it means to drive.
The top 3 participants as judged by Patsnap staff who come up with the most entertaining concepts by the competition end date of 31st May will be able to select from a pick of prizes including Amazon vouchers and Patsnap swag such as wood puzzles, pens and notebooks as you can see below!
I look forward to seeing your both intriguing and innovative ideas!
PS: A few of us here at Patsnap did this for the toothbrush to help give you some inspiration.
-
Official comment
Hi everyone,
Thanks very much for all your interesting and innovative entries!
After a week of deliberation, we have decided that our top 3 (with their selected prizes) are:
- 1st - Mackenzie Cosgro (safe driver sensors) - $50 Amazon voucher
- 2nd - Kyle Dombeck (electrically-deformable material steering wheel) - Patsnap mug
- 3rd - Steve Weisner (tactile feedback and customisable turning radius) - Patsnap laptop sleeve
Congratulations to you all!
Comment actions -
1. Tactile (short pulse bursts) feedback to indicate when cars are present in blindspots (only while turn signals are engaged or lane change motion detected) or if approaching car ahead too quickly - matches newer car sideview mirror lights but without causing driver sight change
2. Customizable turning radius - akin to power steering, but adjustable to the user to allow smaller (or larger) movements to rotate the wheels
3. What not to have: lights on steering wheel - idea is to keep drivers focused on road, not the steering wheel!
-
Develop a Thermoregulated Steering Wheel (TSW), which is equipped with a passive thermoregulation system that maintains a comfortable temperature in extreme weather conditions. This could be achieved through the use of phase change materials (PCMs) embedded within the wheel's structure, which absorb or release heat as necessary. This approach avoids the energy consumption of heated steering wheels, providing comfort in both hot and cold conditions in a more energy-efficient way.
-
Develop a removable steering wheel that can be easily removed upon shutting off the car. The steering wheel can be used as a means to prevent theft of the vehicle by serving as a second key needed to start to car. The steering wheel should be made easily transportable via a collapsing mechanism. The collapsing mechanism can be a series of folds, hinges, or telescoping features or some combination thereof. For safety, the key in the steering column acts as a latch pin to prevent unintentional removal whilst driving. It should also be noted that the "wheel" does not necessarily need to be circular, it can be any desired shape by design.
-
Active compensatory steering and integrated swivel. Force sensing modules determine unidirectional centripetal or tangential exertion and adjust in real time concomitant exertion in the same direction on the opposite side of the steering wheel to assist in single-handed driving. Integrated swivel can be employed by depressing a disengagement actuator on the wheel with user's thumb to rotate a portion of the wheel the user is grasping about an axis fixed to, but independent from wheel. Many disabled single-handed drivers require use of an (dangerous during a crash) aftermarket 'knob' in order to adequately rotate a wheel to execute a hairpin turn because they are unable to switch their grip while turning.
-
Incorporate sensors to determine if the driver is in a safe condition to drive. Contact heart rate sensors in the steering wheel could help identify if the driver experiences a cardiac event or passes out and needs help bringing the car to a safe stop and calling for help. A built-in breathalyzer could monitor for alcohol content in the air in front of the driver's face to ensure the car is not able to be started or operated if they are under the influence.
-
Self-adjusting steering wheel with memory storage for individual preference settings. (like yet unlike auto adjusting seats with preference settings saved for each driver) Contraption automatically adjusts its height, depth, angle, and outside diameter at the push of a button. Utilizing quality luxury materials that can be stretched and return to their original form as the skin.
-
Steering wheel comprising electrically-deformable material. Upon impact, car onboard computer system sends electrical signal to steering wheel which at rest is in a rigid state. Electrical signal causes steering wheel to break surface tension and become deformable, dampening the impact a driver experiences hitting it should airbags not deploy.
-
An addon to a steering wheel which comprises motorised ball bearings/grips which compress around the rim of the wheel. A switch operated by the user's thumb allows the wheel to turn without the user needing to move their arms heavily. The switch allows fine control over speed of wheel movement.
Allows for much faster turning of the wheel by those who have impaired movement in the arms or hands, without needing a replacement wheel - this can be implemented in a range of existing automobiles without expensive & costly wheel replacements.
-
Introducing the ultimate gaming experience for car enthusiasts! Get ready to transform your ordinary drive into an adrenaline-pumping adventure with our revolutionary steering wheel design. Picture this: your very own car becomes the gateway to an arcade haven, where you can unleash your gaming skills using the components of your own vehicle!
No more boring waits in your vehicle. With our cutting-edge steering wheel, seamlessly connect your mobile phones, portable Nintendo Switches, or even portable PlayStations to your car's console. Prepare to be blown away as your favorite racing game comes to life right in the comfort of your own vehicle.
Immerse yourself in the heart-pounding action within your car, with the familiar car setup at your disposal. Grip your trusted steering wheel and feel the rush of every gear shift and transmission control at your fingertips. Experience the exhilaration as you accelerate and brake, just like in a real race. But that's not all! Imagine taking your gaming experience to the next level with virtual reality. Put on your VR headset and transport yourself to a world where reality and gaming seamlessly blend.
So, buckle up and get ready for the gaming journey of a lifetime. With our innovative steering wheel design, every drive becomes a thrilling adventure. Break free from the ordinary and unleash your inner gamer as you conquer virtual race tracks from the driver's seat of your own car. Get ready to revolutionize the way you game on the go because the possibilities are endless with our game-changing steering wheel. The future of gaming is here, and it's waiting for you behind the wheel!
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
11 comments