Alongside the Land Cruiser Se and the EPU electric pick-up truck concept shown by Toyota, the Japanese manufacturer also unveiled its Neo Steer cockpit concept that is based on controls as used on the handlebar of a motorcycle. Here, it is installed in what appears to be a 2024 Land Cruiser Prado.
This integrates accelerator and brake controls into a steering yoke, where the driver would place their right hand. Benefits of the Neo Steer control concept include an improved field of vision “made possible by the steering wheel’s irregular profile”, along with the increased room in the driver’s footwell that has omitted foot pedals thanks to the relocation of accelerator and braking controls to the yoke.
Both the accelerator and brake levers are located on the right hand position of the yoke, with the accelerator lever appearing to be positioned for thumb operation. The motion of depressing this lever is similar to the direction of rotating a motorcycle’s throttle grip for acceleration, while the brake lever is positioned like those on motorcycles and bicycles.
In addition to helping “foster greater love for cars, and deliver the joy and excitement of mobility for all”, according to Toyota, the aforementioned increased room in the driver’s footwell made possible by this control concept offers safe, intuitive hand operated driving for users with lower limb impairments.
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Disruptive steering system is Reserved for future flying car
Finally, it is here.
With this Steering Throttling and Bracking, it’s not like motorcycle/bicycle type, it’s more like the EA Sport type of Steering.
Effectively reduce drivers leg syndrome/Leg & Waist Fatigue and allow Endurance Racing with ease. just like One can racing with EA Sports for hours!
Hooooo this will be interesting especially for those parents who like to put thei kid in front of them while driving
No more pedal to metal.
It’s about time car manufacturers think about controls for those with leg impairments, or those with especially short stature. Made from the ground up specifically for the car it would be better intergrated, more intuitive, and in the end safer. It’s better than the aftermarket attachments of levers and linkages to existing controls.
LOL. There is a reason why foot pedals were invented and used to this date. Because it works.
I would like to see how you would take a parking lot ticket while on a steep incline or decline (yes i am aware cars come with auto hill hold now)
Your comment is rather insensitive. Not everyone has the ability to use a car like it is designed to. You sound like someone who goes through life thinking that disabilities don’t exist, or you could never have one.
Foot controls were invented because it was the most practical solution with mechanical linkages. Not because it was the best. Our lower limbs are not as coordinated as our hands and fingers. Now, even brakes are fly-by-wire so our control layouts don’t need to be so rigid.
Holding the brakes on a steep hill while taking a parking lot ticket without foot controls? Easy. Pull the brake lever, then use the other hand to put on the parking brake and neutral (or just the thumb if they’re on the wheel), then let go of the brake lever and take your ticket. Alternatively, there could be two brake levers. One on each side of the wheel. Just use the unoccupied hand to take over the brakes. Whatever scenario you can think of, with the appropriate hand control layout it is possible.
Back in the early 90’s. one of my friend’s father had his car modified in a similar manner after an accident that handicapped him. Mistubishi modified the pedal control as an extension along with the steering wheel. The car was a Mitsubishi Gallant.
paultan.org/2023/05/10/vios-crashed-by-3-and-6-year-old-boys-in-langkawi/
Easier for underaged kids (whose feet can’t reach the pedals) to drive. So, this kind of Neo Steer control must be made child proof.