Volkswagen has filed a patent describing a steering wheel mounted control system. The publication suggests that turn signal controls could move to the wheel itself, with detailed notes published by CarBuzz about the patent filing.
According to the document, the new design places switches inside the steering wheel. The primary controls would sit on the left side while secondary controls occupy the right side, creating a distinct two-zone setup for driver input.
In practice, a driver would first select an option using the left side controls, such as choosing headlights. Then the right side would offer a secondary set of actions, enabling actions like enabling fog lights or selecting high beam. The same switch layout may also handle multimedia commands and other vehicle functions, depending on context and mode.
The automaker argues that this arrangement could improve safety by minimizing the need for hands to leave the wheel during operation. It also suggests that consolidating controls in this manner could reduce the design and production burden for future models, since a single interface could support multiple features across various configurations.
An unrelated note touches on a different automotive patent approach from Ford that references a debt-related loss of vehicle access. This historical example is cited to contrast how different patent strategies address control and ownership issues, underscoring the evolving landscape of vehicle safety and ownership protections.