Could you design a steering wheel? How hard could it be? A circle with some spokes. A central space for the airbag. Some buttons for adjusting volume or taking a call. Simple. Only it's not. It's very, very hard. Design veterans of the auto industry cite fashioning functional yet beautiful steering wheels as being one of the trickiest parts of car design.
It's also considered one of the most impor...
The article presents a compelling narrative about the evolving role of steering wheels in automotive design, highlighting the tension between innovation and tradition. The strongest version of this narrative acknowledges the complexity of balancing ergonomics, aesthetics, and functionality while adapting to technological shifts like autonomous driving. It rightly credits designers like Jony Ive and Hans-Peter Wunderlich for their deep understanding of the emotional and tactile connection between...