It’s not really “drive by wire,” it’s just electrically assisted instead of hydraulically:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering#Electric_systems
A lot of cars are using it now, mostly small ones but I’ve seen where Chevy has a couple of full-size Silverado proof-of-concept test vehicles with electric power steering. I like the concept, it seems like there’s less stuff to go wrong and less parasitic losses on the engine with no hydraulic pump to drive.
}:-)4
Thanks for the link. And yeah, the parasitic losses thing has been on my radar since I was in high school (early 70’s). I remember getting an electric remote control car in the mid 70’s that did 30 mph. I was amazed at how reliable and trouble free it was compared to the fuel powered RC cars. And thee torque was impressinve.
I never thought about it before your post, but the engine is not the only thing that can be simplified by going electric. Maybe it will just be the last. Perhaps cars could someday be like diesel-electric trains. The IC engine only supplies power to everything else, including the motor that drives the wheels.