Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a steering wheel that can be transferred into a non-steering position which may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on February 15th, 2024, published on September 12th, 2024, and assigned serial number 0300567.
Back in May 2022, Ford published a patent for a disappearing steering wheel and pedals system that’s designed to provide the driver with more space – and perhaps room to transform their vehicle into an office – at least, in autonomous applications. Some time later, the redesigned Ford Transit Custom debuted with a trick steering wheel that can fold flat and turn into a table of sorts, complete with an included tray. A new patent surfaced last March that added some features to that wheel and previewed its potential arrival in future Ford models for the U.S., and now, this newly published patent adds more fuel to that proverbial fire.
This new steering wheel design would function much like the one present in the Transit Custom, though Ford specifically notes that since it can fold completely flat, it would provide the perfect surface for something like a laptop or food, since it focuses more on ergonomics. In fact, this table of sorts could be activated based on where the steering wheel is positioned at the time, making it suitable for the person behind the wheel without the need for adjustment.
Such a concept would certainly be welcome for a variety of consumers, especially those that tend to spend a lot of time in their vehicles while traveling or on job sites. Rather than bend over to use something like the Interior Work Surface or placing food and electronic devices in one’s lap, the steering wheel could wind up serving a multitude of similar functions in future Ford models, if this patent does wind up coming to fruition.
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A completely stupid idea.
No. I can see it now. The stupidly, over-complicated electrical/mechanical steering wheel components that control the "folding", "break", while driving down the highway at highway speeds. This is worse than adding auto-start/stop technology that introduced the issue of engines shutting off while driving.
A hot plate for a steering wheel and a dishwasher in the glovebox. These POS EVs will actually be appliances.
Something to do rather than driving in traffic jams? No sense focusing on traffic? Wonder how many people do much desk work in their cars.
Of course Ford will charge 2K for this stupid idea, and it work work due to Firds quality problem.
All of you naysayers may be against such ideas, but after they are in real vehicles, you will cry to keep them.
Stop with all the silly patents for useless ideas. How about spending more time on the poor quality and also add some new exterior and interior colors ? Most vehicle have the same drab dark exterior colors and only black interior colors for a decade.
That’s as stupid as the folding shifter! Just put it back on the steering column.