Drive by wire

Drive by wire or DbW in the automotive industry is the technology that uses electronics or electro-mechanical systems in place of mechanical linkages to control driving functions. The concept is similar to fly-by-wire in the aviation industry.^[2] Drive-by-wire may refer to just the propulsion of the vehicle through electronic throttle control,^[3] or it may refer to electronic control over propulsion as well as steering and braking, which separately are known as steer by wire and brake by wire, along with electronic control over other vehicle driving functions.^[4]

Driver input is traditionally transferred to the motor, wheels, and brakes through a mechanical linkage attached to controls such as a steering wheel, throttle pedal, hydraulic brake pedal, brake pull handle, and so on, which apply mechanical forces. In drive-by-wire systems, driver input does not directly adjust a mechanical linkage, instead the input is processed by an electronic control unit which controls the vehicle using electromechanical actuators. The human–machine interface, such as a steering wheel, yoke, accelerator pedal, brake pedal, and so on, may include haptic feedback that simulates the resistance of hydraulic and mechanical pedals and steering, including steering kickback. Components such as the steering column, intermediate shafts, pumps, hoses, belts, coolers, vacuum servos and master cylinders are eliminated from the vehicle. Safety standards for drive-by-wire are specified by the ISO 26262 standard level D.