For the next decade, the market will continue to increase fitment of EPS and will strive to have large segment vehicles matching the performance of the lower end B and C segments.
OEMs will add more functionality to steering systems thru software algorithms that can for example help offset the effects of side-wind forces on the vehicle, suppress some hand-wheel vibrations due to chassis components and enable higher fitment rates of marketable features like park assist.
It is quite easy to adjust the steering system to the driver’s preference. Vehicles can be fitted with a switch on the dash to set the steering feel and in some premium level vehicles with keyless entry, the security system can identify the driver and tell the steering system how to set the steering feel. This is all possible today.
There will be more and more integration between steering, braking and passive restraint systems as time goes by. For this reason TRW began their Cognitive Safety programme to lead the market in systems integration. We see further opportunity on the vehicle to incorporate features like blind spot detection and lane guide to help the driver operate the vehicle with a higher degree of safety and confidence. TRW’s Adaptive Cruise Control [radar] and forward-looking camera technologies are additional integration options that are being fitted by leading OEMs. It’s clear the OEMs do not want to add more ‘black boxes’ to the vehicle but prefer to figure out how to get more cooperation amongst existing functions.