Overlanding driving takes place in remote environments where safety failures can have life-threatening consequences. How can an adapted steering system reduce driver injury in remote overlanding environments where medical help is hundreds of miles away?
Steering jerk is a sudden rotation of the steering wheel from hitting obstacles, wheel slippage, or rough terrain.
Three drivers were interviewed to survey their pain points when overland driving
Pacific Northwest and Alaska
"When the snow melts in spring, all that runoff carves out these channels in the trail. Sometimes you can't really tell how deep they are until you're on top of them, and I went to drive over one and it just ripped the wheel right out of my hands."
Utah
"I was actually on the phone with a buddy of mine yesterday who was out doing some rock crawling, and he had the death grip going. Slipped off a rock with his front tire and broke his thumb."
West Virginia
"One time I was driving up in the hills and went to take my dog out off the trail and twisted my right ankle. Something about the position while driving... I had to stop a couple times because it hurt so bad. Was about a two hour trip back."
Drivers were then surveyed to see what qualities they valued in a new steering wheel.
DREW
MIKE
BART
The yoke was tested to determine whether your thumbs would be safe even in the event of a steering jerk.
The yoke body is forged carbon composite, providing mounting points for the handles and airbag.
Embedded within the forged carbon frame is the aluminum mount that connects the yoke to the steering column. This mounting system is universal across most steer-by-wire vehicles.
CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION
While interviewing Drew (one of the overland drivers), he described his dream vehicle. With one week before summer break, Brandon Lee and I brought his vision to life.
- Large wheels
- Massive clearance
- Rear storage for tires and gear
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