Could Citroen's C5-by-Wire be the Future of Driver Interface Systems?
Brake-by-Wire, Drive-by-Wire, Steer-by-Wire: what's next - Fly-by-Wire? Known as 'X-by-Wire', it's one of the latest technological trends to hit
the automotive industry, and it's taking it by storm. Engineers have found ways to make cars safer, more fuel efficient and more reliable by eliminating mechanical links between driver and car. Citroen, French conglomerate and self-proclaimed mad scientist of the car world has long worked on a Fly-by-Wire system suitable for cars. Through its C-Crosser and C-Airdream concepts, it has developed an electronically controlled steering, throttle and brake system, which it has transplanted into its C5 family sedan. The result is a unique, one-off prototype called the C5-by-Wire.
On the outside, the C5-by-Wire looks like a normal C5 hatchback, except for the silver and light blue decals which adorn its tall sides. It's powered by a conventional engine, which drives the front wheels through an automatic gearbox, and aside from the fact that it has seats that vibrate should you cross over a traffic lane unintentionally, and that it's one of the only vehicles in the world available with a body roll, pitch and dive-removing hydropneumatic suspension system, it's a completely normal looking vehicle. One could relate it to the automotive equivalent of a cyborg - normal on the outside, but completely mechanical and far more advanced underneath.
The main thing that's different about the C5's interior is its unconventional steering wheel. Having hacked off the top and bottom arches of the
wheel, it looks more like a video game console handset than a steering wheel. The controls for the missing pedals appear present on the steering wheel, making the C5 a car which can be operated completely with your hands. Throttle is controlled by two paddles which are actuated by the driver's left or right thumbs - to accelerate, or speed up, the driver pushes the paddle outwards. To ease the strain on wary thumbs, automatic cruise control kicks in making the task of sustaining speed easy. Braking is also done with one's fingers, and is controlled by two triggers, operated by the driver's index fingers. With a half inch of travel, the driver simply squeezes on the triggers to slow the vehicle.
Brake-by-Wire, Drive-by-Wire, Steer-by-Wire: what's next - Fly-by-Wire? Known as 'X-by-Wire', it's one of the latest technological trends to hit
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| On the outside, the C5-by-Wire looks completely like a normal C5 hatchback. (Photo: Citroën Automobiles) |
On the outside, the C5-by-Wire looks like a normal C5 hatchback, except for the silver and light blue decals which adorn its tall sides. It's powered by a conventional engine, which drives the front wheels through an automatic gearbox, and aside from the fact that it has seats that vibrate should you cross over a traffic lane unintentionally, and that it's one of the only vehicles in the world available with a body roll, pitch and dive-removing hydropneumatic suspension system, it's a completely normal looking vehicle. One could relate it to the automotive equivalent of a cyborg - normal on the outside, but completely mechanical and far more advanced underneath.
The main thing that's different about the C5's interior is its unconventional steering wheel. Having hacked off the top and bottom arches of the
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| The C5-by-Wire's steering wheel looks more like a video game console handset. (Photo: Citroën Automobiles) |