Ford Motor Company has filed a patent for a removable steering wheel that may be used in future Ford vehicles, Ford Authority has learned.
The patent was filed on February 12th, 2024, published on August 14th, 2025, and assigned serial number 0256680.
The Ford Authority Take
Back in February, Ford published a patent for a stowable steering wheel, which is yet another attempt at making its future vehicles capable of transforming into mobile offices of sorts. Such technology could be used one day in autonomous vehicles, making more room for occupants as well. Then there’s the concept of removing vehicle controls in self-driving vehicles completely, which is something else FoMoCo has explored via a patent filing. Now, this newly published patent introduces us to another, similar idea, this time, for a removable steering wheel that may be used in future Ford vehicles.
Removable steering wheels have been around for some time now, but in this case, Ford envisions a more high-tech approach versus simply detaching that part. In this case, the user would submit a request to remove the wheel, after which the system would use sensors to determine whether or not it’s in the proper position. If it isn’t, the system would instruct the user to “reseat” the wheel, after which it would unlock it for removal. When the steering wheel is reattached, the system would also work to ensure that the steering wheel is seated properly before locking it back in to place.
“Submitting patent applications is a normal part of any strong business as the process protects new ideas and helps us build a robust portfolio of intellectual property,” Ford said in a statement. “The ideas described within a patent application should not be viewed as an indication of our business or product plans. No matter what the patent application outlines, we will always put the customer first in the decision-making behind the development and marketing of new products and services.”
No Comments yet