Hyundai & Kia: Xbox Controllers for Steering

Drive Autonomously With an Xbox Controller!

Hyundai and Kia have fashioned an approach for manually regulating an autonomous car without the need for a steering wheel, suggesting that these types of vehicles can be governed using wireless remotes similar to those used for having fun with Xbox or handling an RC auto.

CarBuzz has uncovered a patent filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Hyundai, Kia, and the SL Corporation, an automotive componentry manufacturer based in South Korea that supplies several automakers. This patent is for an “integrated control apparatus for an autonomous driving vehicle” and outlines two separate types of controller interfaces that take inspiration from gaming.

It is unlikely that we will observe these controllers in the Hyundai Ioniq 6 in the immediate term; as opposed, they are more likely to be fitted within production for autonomous vehicles, such as the Hyundai Mobis M.Vision TO shown underneath.

This brand new driving control has been invented to provide flexibility for users, enabling either single- or double-hand manipulation. The two-hand system is unmistakably reminiscent of the design of an Xbox controller, with a handle for each hand, and an assortment of switches and triggers along its top and sides. Contrastingly, the one-hand version takes a similar form to that of a gun-grip interface, having its buttons and triggers arranged around and atop its handle portion. All of these tools will be tied down to the car’s inner workings and can be used by any individual in the automobile.

An essential characteristic is shared between both types of interfaces, and that centers around a dead man switch. This toggle serves as the paramount override, as if it isn’t engaged by the user, the automobile will not move in any capacity.

In this instantiation, a switch is situated on the underlying portion of the pistol grip central point such that both the accelerator and dead-person switches can be pulled with one trigger activity, albeit utilizing two digits since the accelerator switch is further surrounded by a trigger safe like a handgun.

The format is somewhat altered for the two-handed model, with the safety cut out switch manifesting itself as a bar located between the accelerator and brake switches beneath the grasp of both hands. Both solitary and double-hand configurations incorporate a slidable changeover to indicate the direction of travel, which allows one to select from the reverse, neutral, and forward drive options.

The steering mechanism for both concepts is realized through a steering wheel situated on the higher side of the corresponding input systems. Much like game controllers, this steering wheel will contain a concise journey amid its highly contrasting points, with step by step enhancing obstruction as it moves through its running arrangement, and in addition will be fitted with a restoring spring so that it generally comes back to the middle position after being released. After that, the car’s computer interprets these digital instructions into front wheel turning angles.

Motive force output will be governed by the pressure applied to the accelerator trigger with the solo-handed model, while however, the double-handed model has a separate, trifling adjustment knob used to set the drivetrain’s productivity. Subsequently, manipulating the pistol grip’s trigger looks to be more comprehensible, but yet those acquainted with Xbox and PS gaming should find no difficulty coordinating their finger motion blends essential for guiding the transport with the two-hand system.

This commanding interface embodies the closing development of the driving game and delivers virtual steering to reality. Typical auto enthusiasts will definitely loathe it; however, when autos begin morphing into video games, it’s only consistent that their handles shall come in step with them.

Hyundai has also developed additional systems for autonomous vehicles, featuring retractable pedals and chair-installed joysticks intended for Levels 3 & 4 self-driving cars. Nevertheless, it is expected that this new system will only be relevant to completely automated vehicles, functioning as an emergency tactic in the instance of a cloud-based regulation system failing.