Car Steering and Braking Are Going Digital— What That Means for You?

I was reading up on cars the other day and came across something pretty wild—steering and braking, the two things we rely on most while driving, are going digital. Lexus, Tesla, and a few other automakers are ditching the traditional mechanical connections in favor of “steer-by-wire” and “brake-by-wire” systems. Naturally, that made me wonder: What does this actually mean for regular drivers like us?

So, What’s Steer-by-Wire?

Right now, when you turn your steering wheel, a bunch of mechanical parts—like shafts and gears—physically turn the wheels. But with steer-by-wire, there’s no direct connection. Instead, your steering wheel acts more like a gaming controller, sending electronic signals to the wheels.

Why Bother Changing It?

Steer-by-wire isn’t just about making cars more high-tech. It comes with some real benefits:

• Easier low-speed handling – Think effortless parking and tight turns.
• More stable at high speeds – The system automatically adjusts how much the wheels turn based on your speed.
• Customizable steering feel – Want a sportier, more responsive feel? Or a softer, smoother one? You can tweak it.

A friend of mine test-drove a car with this system, and his reaction was pretty interesting. “It felt like the car was reading my mind,” he said. “Precise and light in the city, but rock-solid on the highway.” That’s because the system constantly adjusts to driving conditions.

What If It Fails?

That was my first thought, too. What happens if the system just… stops working?

Car manufacturers know this is a concern, so they’ve built in multiple backup systems. If one component fails, another takes over. Some designs even include a mechanical failsafe that reconnects the steering wheel to the wheels in emergencies. However, this adds some complexity back to the system.

Brakes Are Going Digital, Too

If you drive a regular car, your brakes work the same way they have for over a century—you press the pedal, hydraulic fluid moves through pipes, and the brake pads squeeze. Reliable? Yes. Modern? Not really.

Now, companies like Brembo and ZF are developing brake-by-wire systems that replace fluid with electronic signals.

Why Change Something That Works?

Because electronic brakes are just faster and wiser:

• Quicker response times – Traditional brakes take about 150 milliseconds to engage fully. Digital brakes cut that time significantly, which could mean stopping a whole 7 feet sooner at highway speeds.
• More precise braking – The system can adjust pressure on each wheel individually, improving control.
• Less maintenance – No hydraulic fluid, fewer moving parts.

Also, these systems work hand-in-hand with other safety features. Imagine your car’s collision warning system detecting danger ahead—it could apply the brakes with just the right amount of pressure based on road conditions, tire grip, and weight distribution. Your current car can’t do that.

Brembo’s system is expected by 2025, with ZF rolling theirs out around 2028. ZF has already lined up contracts for 5 million vehicles, including 700,000 heavy-duty pickup trucks. If companies are putting this tech in work trucks—vehicles people depend on for their livelihood—it’s safe to say they trust its reliability.

Big Questions That Still Need Answers

I’m still wondering about a few things:

• What if the system fails? (Manufacturers insist their backups are foolproof.)
• Will drivers miss the “feel” of traditional steering and braking?
• Will these systems be affordable in everyday cars?

That second point is exciting. Companies like BMW and Porsche have built their reputations on how their cars feel when driving. Can they replicate that through software? Or will all cars start feeling the same?

Some automakers are already working on force feedback systems—basically, software that mimics the resistance and vibrations you’d generally feel through the steering wheel and brake pedal. Kind of like how gaming controllers vibrate to make virtual worlds feel more real.

My Take

Like it or not, this shift is happening. These systems make cars cheaper to build, safer, and more adaptable.

Electric vehicles are accelerating this transition. Since EVs already rely on computers to control their motors, adding computerized steering and braking is a logical next step. Look at the Tesla Cybertruck—it was designed from the ground up with these digital systems in mind.

And let’s not ignore the autonomous driving factor. A self-driving car needs complete electronic control of steering and braking. These wire-based systems are basically laying the foundation for that future.

I’m cautiously optimistic. While I love the feel of a sound mechanical system, I also get why automakers are moving in this direction. The good news? We’ll probably see both mechanical and digital systems coexist for years before one fully replaces the other.

What Do You Think?

Would you trust a car with zero mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels? Have you driven one with these systems yet? If so, I’d love to hear what you thought!

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