A Deep Dive into Tesla Cybertruck’s Steering-by-Wire and Rear-Wheel Steering
Tesla has started delivery of its Cybertruck which has bold angular styling, a bulletproof body, and towing capacity of 11,000 pounds. It is quick and strong (Cybertruck beating Porsche 911 while towing another 911 in a video shared by Tesla on X) accelerating 0-60 MPH in just 2.6 seconds.
Cybertruck has many unique features like steer-by-wire, range-extender, rear-wheel steering, and 48V wiring architecture (harness).
Cybertruck Steer-by-Wire
Engineers have been working on Steer-by-wire technology for a decade but for the first time In Cybertruck, there is no direct mechanical linkage between the steering and the wheel as it used to be in conventional vehicles.
It is the first vehicle to use the steer-by-wire system although this steering system has been in use in airplanes since the 1980s.
The squarish-shaped steering of Cybertruck controls the direction of the front wheels using wired connected two motors (actuators).
The steering signal is fed into a controller (computer) which decides the action of motors (actuators) to how much the wheels should be turned.
The steering system is provided with triple redundancy to provide better safety features in case two sensors generate an error the third level of the sensor can identify the correct input.
The wired steering of Cybetruck provides a variable steering ratio and the steering wheel can rotate up to 170 degrees. The sensors connected to Cybertruck have ethernet communication which makes steering fast, smooth, and robust.
Advantages of Column Steering
- Steering by wire is safer as compared to the conventional steering system in case of front collision as the steering wheel is not mechanically connected to the front axle.
- More space in the cabin is available to use because there is no column (rod) connection to the axle.
- The driving experience is enhanced as there is no vibration on the steering which comes from the front wheels if the steering is connected mechanically.
Rear- Wheel Steering
This system is in use in some vehicles. The main purpose of rear-wheel steering is to turn the rear wheels in opposite to the front wheels for maximum maneuverability. The use of rear steering gives a better cornering experience to the driver.
Presently, Cybertruck rear wheels are being turned to 3 degrees which can go up to 10 degrees after a software update. Cybertruck is a bigger size vehicle but still, it has the turning radius of Model S.
Tesla says that rear-wheel steering gives the truck “The handling of a sports car and the turning radius of most sports sedans.” Tesla has one motor for rear-wheel steering and two for the front wheel which together give 5 horsepower (3.7 kW) to the wheels to rotate.
The Cybertruck uses a Steer-By-Wire system, which is incredible for handling.
There is no physical connection between the steering wheel and front wheel. Sensors and software determine optimal front/rear wheels moves on a turn.
Jason Camissa says it handles like a sports car… pic.twitter.com/qz7tQXg02B
— Trung Phan (@TrungTPhan) December 3, 2023
