Photo: walkingcrow via Reddit
One of the Tesla Cybertruck's highlights is its unique steer-by-wire system. Tesla claims it responds quicker to the steering wheel movements, making the truck more agile. However, a recent video shared on social media shows the Cybertruck's steer-by-wire system can't keep up with the steering wheel movement. What gives?
Tesla Cybertruck has always been a polarizing vehicle, starting with the angular design. You can either love it or hate it, there's no middle ground. However, as Tesla has become a more controversial company in the past year, this has extended to its products, exacerbating Cybertruck's drama. Now, everything about the Cybertruck is either a genius strike or the dumbest thing ever, depending on whom you ask.
To its credit, Tesla innovated not just automotive design but also technologies that make the Cybertruck tick. Tesla's electric pickup truck is the first vehicle to adopt a 48-volt electrical system throughout, and it also features a faster "Etherloop" interconnect that provides low-latency communications between various vehicle controllers. These technologies are crucial for the Cybertruck's most important innovation, the steer-by-wire system.
Some people argue that steer-by-wire systems have been used in several car models before, but this is the first with no physical connection between the steering wheel and the steering rack. For the Infiniti models equipped with steer-by-wire systems in the 2010s, the carmaker fitted a backup steering column separated from the steering wheel with a clutch. Cybertruck's steering system is more like the ones used in modern airliners.
When it started Cybertruck deliveries in November 2023, Tesla explained that the steer-by-wire system is even more direct than a regular steering system. This baffled some people, as having only a virtual connection didn't sound very reassuring. After all, people likened it to console steering wheels, which react slowly because there's always lag in the software and interconnect. Tesla explained that classic steering systems also lag because of the natural play in the rubber joints, while its system uses a very low-latency communications system.
However, a new video shared on social media caused heated debates about the Cybertruck's steering wheel lag. In the video, the driver rotates the steering wheel quickly, but the wheels only follow with a delay. The video enraged Tesla critics, who think the Cybertruck is dangerous because of that. They argue that when a swift evasive maneuver is required, the Cybertruck steer-by-wire lag will cause issues.
Others pointed to the second part of the video, which shows a Ford F-150 Lightning for comparison. Although the Ford pickup doesn't appear to have steering lag, it's obviously slower than the Cybertruck. Specifically, the F-150 Lightning needs more than a second and a half for a lock-to-lock maneuver. Despite the lag, the Cybertruck driver needs only 0.67 seconds for the same maneuver.
Basically, the Cybertruck's steer-by-wire system allows the driver to turn the steering wheel instantaneous from left to right and vice versa. It's faster than the steering actuators can react, which is what you actually see in the video. Turn the steering wheel slower, and there's no perceptible lag, and the Cybertruck will still react faster than any other vehicle to the steering inputs.
There's one caveat, though, and that has to do with how Tesla implemented the steer-by-wire logic. In a properly designed system, rotating the steering wheel faster than the actuators can react should not be possible. This is not necessary, and it can lead to potentially dangerous situations. Tesla should've implemented a force feedback system to make the steering feel more natural instead of like a game console wheel.
To its credit, Tesla innovated not just automotive design but also technologies that make the Cybertruck tick. Tesla's electric pickup truck is the first vehicle to adopt a 48-volt electrical system throughout, and it also features a faster "Etherloop" interconnect that provides low-latency communications between various vehicle controllers. These technologies are crucial for the Cybertruck's most important innovation, the steer-by-wire system.
Some people argue that steer-by-wire systems have been used in several car models before, but this is the first with no physical connection between the steering wheel and the steering rack. For the Infiniti models equipped with steer-by-wire systems in the 2010s, the carmaker fitted a backup steering column separated from the steering wheel with a clutch. Cybertruck's steering system is more like the ones used in modern airliners.
When it started Cybertruck deliveries in November 2023, Tesla explained that the steer-by-wire system is even more direct than a regular steering system. This baffled some people, as having only a virtual connection didn't sound very reassuring. After all, people likened it to console steering wheels, which react slowly because there's always lag in the software and interconnect. Tesla explained that classic steering systems also lag because of the natural play in the rubber joints, while its system uses a very low-latency communications system.
However, a new video shared on social media caused heated debates about the Cybertruck's steering wheel lag. In the video, the driver rotates the steering wheel quickly, but the wheels only follow with a delay. The video enraged Tesla critics, who think the Cybertruck is dangerous because of that. They argue that when a swift evasive maneuver is required, the Cybertruck steer-by-wire lag will cause issues.
Others pointed to the second part of the video, which shows a Ford F-150 Lightning for comparison. Although the Ford pickup doesn't appear to have steering lag, it's obviously slower than the Cybertruck. Specifically, the F-150 Lightning needs more than a second and a half for a lock-to-lock maneuver. Despite the lag, the Cybertruck driver needs only 0.67 seconds for the same maneuver.
Basically, the Cybertruck's steer-by-wire system allows the driver to turn the steering wheel instantaneous from left to right and vice versa. It's faster than the steering actuators can react, which is what you actually see in the video. Turn the steering wheel slower, and there's no perceptible lag, and the Cybertruck will still react faster than any other vehicle to the steering inputs.
There's one caveat, though, and that has to do with how Tesla implemented the steer-by-wire logic. In a properly designed system, rotating the steering wheel faster than the actuators can react should not be possible. This is not necessary, and it can lead to potentially dangerous situations. Tesla should've implemented a force feedback system to make the steering feel more natural instead of like a game console wheel.
Testing out how bad the lag in Steer by Wire is vs Ford F-150
byu/walkingcrow incybertruck
Not to worry, in real world use any lag is unnoticeable. Dry scrubbing the tires is where you'll see the highest load, and with a 6:1 ratio at low speed you can really exaggerate your inputs. Turning this fast while driving would feel extremely jerky and uncomfortable. If for…
— Wes (@wmorrill3) June 6, 2024
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