Nexteer Automotive has introduced its High Mount Direct Drive Steer-by-Wire Hand-Wheel Actuator (HMDD). According to the company, this compact actuator architecture helps OEMs rethink steering system packaging and cockpit design for software-defined vehicles. By combining a high-mount motor location, direct-drive responsiveness and stationary hub, HMDD enables greater design freedom, premium steering feel and scalable integration across vehicle platforms. As OEMs move toward software-defined, electrified and increasingly flexible vehicle architectures, steering systems have an opportunity to evolve from fixed mechanical layouts to more adaptable, software-enabled motion control solutions.
Alongside Nexteer’s low-mount option positioned under the dash, HMDD gives OEMs flexibility to select the actuator architecture that best supports their vehicle packaging, cockpit design and driver experience strategies.
Nexteer says that HMDD creates several opportunities to increase flexibility in cockpit design. It reportedly offers greater steering interface design flexibility, including center-hub control and display concepts, stowable or reconfigurable steering interfaces and expanded steering wheel placement options.
It also enables next-generation airbag integration, thanks to a stationary hub that removes the need for symmetrically designed driver airbags required for rotating systems.
Furthermore, mass reduction opportunities of up to 23% are possible, compared with legacy column-based architectures (depending on vehicle application and packaging requirements).
HMDD can also enable scalable integration across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicle platforms, with support for 12V and 48V electrical architectures and left- and right-hand-drive configurations.
“Nexteer’s HMDD gives OEMs a new way to rethink the cockpit and driver experience while enhancing the steering feel, packaging flexibility and safety-critical performance,” said Michael Hales, executive director of research and development at Nexteer Automotive. “As vehicles become more software defined, technologies like HMDD help create a more flexible foundation for differentiated steering experiences and future vehicle architectures.”
The company says that HMDD is designed to deliver a premium steering feel thanks to smooth, direct torque response and adjustable modes with realistic road feedback. Its direct-drive configuration and flexible software tuning can support future feature evolution through software – including potential over-the-air updates as OEM software strategies advance.
For OEMs, Nexteer’s HMDD creates opportunities to standardize and scale steer-by-wire hardware while enabling brand differentiation through software-defined steering feel, cockpit experience and user features. This approach can reportedly help reduce part complexity, support faster development and create a more flexible foundation for future software-enabled vehicles.
In related news, Mercedes‑Benz adds steer-by-wire to EQS
