Reinventing the wheel

Scania takes us on a brief time-tunnel journey through 60 years of evolution of its truck and bus steering wheels…

One of the most crucial components in a truck's various systems of control is also its most obvious: the steering wheel.

Now Scania has highlighted the history of its trucks' steering wheels with a series of photos taken through the last 60 years of Scania truck development – and it's obvious that beyond its shape and its basic steering function, the steering wheel of today is a far cry from that of the 1950s.

For a start, the old Bakelite wheel has made way for a highly tactile item incorporating a range of materials, along with integrated controls that place a range of functions at a driver's fingertips.

Sven Stafner, Scania's Design Responsible, Driver Interface, says that a steering wheel's importance goes far beyond its mechanical worth.

"We put a huge amount of work into the feel of the steering wheel," he says.

"The styling, quality, functions and the feel of the buttons – everything should radiate a Scania feel. The steering wheel is perhaps the clearest expression of driving a Scania."

Today's Scania models all adopt what is essentially a steering wheel of the same design, regardless of whether it’s on a linehaul prime mover, a city bus, or a tipper truck. Plenty of choice is offered, however, in the materials used, along with the scope of integrated controls.

"Our ergonomists and designers all strive to make the steering wheel and controls extremely intuitive," says Stafner.

"You shouldn't have to take out the manual but should be able to learn the functions very quickly. Here I think we have succeeded well with the present steering wheel."

To that end, Stafner says any future changes to steering wheel design need to be considered very carefully.

"When we make changes, we are careful that they are very well thought out and properly tested," he says.

"We also want to ensure continuity so that, as a driver, you know your way around when you change from an older to a newer Scania."

A modern Scania steering wheel has controls grouped into three distinct clusters.

To the left are buttons for the radio, CD player or MP3 player;to the right are controls to navigate the display on the instrument display; and to the bottom are the buttons for cruise control, adaptive cruise control (if fitted), and downhill speed control.

The wheel features air adjustment for tilt and reach and can be finished in plastic, dark chrome, wood or genuine leather. It also has deformation zones to prevent injury in the event of an accident, and can be fitted with an optional airbag.

So what lies around the corner for Scania's steering wheel? Stafner says today's smartphones provide a clue.

"Just like in smartphones the interfaces go from levers and mechanical controls to simple and intuitive menu-based controls that regulate functions in the instrument cluster display," he says.

"These could be functions such as defining a start gear or choosing a performance mode: standard, power, eco or off-road.

"In the next generations of steering wheels we will see more and more voice control for functionality like the navigator and the phone."

Reinventing the wheel

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