JLR steering heats & cools to tell driver where to turn

Jaguar Land Rover has developed a steering wheel that uses difference in temperature to tell drivers when to turn left or right. The company calls it 'sensory steering wheel' and it was developed in partnership with Glasgow University.

The steering wheel uses the heating and cooling function to inform drivers where to turn, when to change lanes or warn of an approaching junction. The system indicates the direction to turn by rapidly warming or cooling one side of the wheel by a difference of up to 6 degrees Celsius. It works on both sides of the steering wheel and the temperature range can be adjusted. The technology can also be applied to the gear shift paddles to indicate the hand over from the driver to autonomous control. 

The company claims that this system could be useful in low visibility conditions. It could be used in place of audio or haptic feedbacks in specific situations.