Toyota & Lexus cars could soon get a steer-by-wire system

This allows Toyota & Lexus to take advantage of the system, especially on models like the RZ450e and BZ4X which gets a yoke-like steering.

Toyota is said to be working on a new steer-by-wire system for its future models. The new steer-by-wire system is expected to debut on the Lexus RZ450e electric crossover in a few years' time.

The steer-by-wire system itself isn't new and was first seen on the Infiniti Q50 almost 10 years back. However, the new system from Toyota is said to be significantly different from that on the Infiniti Q50. Where the Q50 came with a traditional steering system as backup, Toyota is planning to do away with the conventional system entirely. The Japanese brand plans to remove the steering shaft and instead control the vehicle's steering with just some wiring.

According to reports, the system starts out regularly with the wheels connected to a rack and pinion gear. The pinion gear though, is further connected to an electric motor rather than a connecting shaft. The electric motor receives signals via wires connected to the steering wheel. Since there is no physical contact between the wheel and the rack, the steering ratio can be continuously variable. This allows Toyota & Lexus to take advantage of the system, especially on models like the RZ450e and BZ4X which gets a yoke-like steering.

Yushi Higashiyama, Assistant Chief Engineer for the Lexus RZ, stated that one of the reasons to implement steer-by-wire tech in the new RZ450e is to allow the steering system to keep up with the improvement in accelerator and vehicle movement response. He further added that the new tech isn't being added just to be new, but it's being implemented to help the carmaker prepare themselves for future applications.

Source: Road&Track