A steering operating device provided for a vehicle whose driving state is switchable between a manual driving state and an automatic driving state and including a steering operating member operable by a driver, including: an upstream portion including the steering operating member; a downstream portion located downstream of the upstream portion; and a link member connecting the upstream portion and the downstream portion, wherein the link member connects the upstream portion and the downstream portion such that the upstream portion is movable relative to the downstream portion in a width direction of the vehicle and such that the upstream portion is pivotable relative to the downstream portion in an up-down direction of the vehicle.

A steering operating device provided for a vehicle whose driving state is switchable between a manual driving state and an automatic driving state and including a steering operating member operable by a driver, including: an upstream portion including the steering operating member; a downstream portion located downstream of the upstream portion; and a link member connecting the upstream portion and the downstream portion, wherein the link member connects the upstream portion and the downstream portion such that the upstream portion is movable relative to the downstream portion in a width direction of the vehicle and such that the upstream portion is pivotable relative to the downstream portion in an up-down direction of the vehicle.

A motor vehicle includes a steering wheel and/or pedals that can be moved from an active driving position to an inactive or stowed position. The motor vehicle may include a pedal shield that substantially blocks a driver's access to the pedals when the pedals are in an inactive position. The steering wheel and pedals may shift laterally simultaneously between the active and inactive positions or configurations.

A motor vehicle includes a steering wheel and/or pedals that can be moved from an active driving position to an inactive or stowed position. The motor vehicle may include a pedal shield that substantially blocks a driver's access to the pedals when the pedals are in an inactive position. The steering wheel and pedals may shift laterally simultaneously between the active and inactive positions or configurations.

A steering section of a steer-by-wire system includes a handle having a center axis of rotation arranged in the front-rear direction, and a handle-support shaft having a center axis arranged in the front-rear direction and that is supported so as not to be able to rotate about the center axis with respect to the vehicle. The handle is rotatably supported so as to be able to rotate about the center axis of rotation with respect to the rear-end portion of the handle-support shaft. The center axis of the handle-support shaft is arranged so as to be offset upward with respect to the center axis of rotation of the handle.

An autonomous vehicle is provided. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle control device positioned proximate a forward end of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle further includes a passenger seat. The passenger seat defines a seating orientation and is configurable in at least a first position and a second position. When the passenger seat is in the first position, the seating orientation is directed towards the rear end of the autonomous vehicle. In addition, the vehicle control device is substantially obscured from access from a passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. When the passenger seat is in the second position, the seating orientation is directed towards the forward end of the autonomous vehicle. In addition, the vehicle control device is accessible from the passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle.

An autonomous vehicle is provided. The autonomous vehicle includes a vehicle control device positioned proximate a forward end of the autonomous vehicle. The autonomous vehicle further includes a passenger seat. The passenger seat defines a seating orientation and is configurable in at least a first position and a second position. When the passenger seat is in the first position, the seating orientation is directed towards the rear end of the autonomous vehicle. In addition, the vehicle control device is substantially obscured from access from a passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle. When the passenger seat is in the second position, the seating orientation is directed towards the forward end of the autonomous vehicle. In addition, the vehicle control device is accessible from the passenger compartment of the autonomous vehicle.

Embodiments may allow the steering wheel to be received in a vehicle body to secure a space for the driver's seat in autonomous driving mode and prevent the steering wheel from interfering with the driver's body, thereby allowing for the driver's comfortable movement while preventing the driver from intervening in steering.

A steering column may have a steering spindle jacket that is disposed within a support assembly. An outer steering spindle may include a spline hub portion and may be disposed within the steering spindle jacket. An inner steering spindle may be disposed within the outer steering spindle and may include a spline shaft portion configured to permit axial movement and prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle when the spline hub portion and the spline shaft portion are engaged. In a deployed state the spline shaft and the spline hub portions may be engaged, and in a stowed state the spline shaft and the spline hub portions may be free of engagement. A base disposed in the support assembly engages the spline hub portion in the stowed state to prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle.

A steering column may have a steering spindle jacket that is disposed within a support assembly. An outer steering spindle may include a spline hub portion and may be disposed within the steering spindle jacket. An inner steering spindle may be disposed within the outer steering spindle and may include a spline shaft portion configured to permit axial movement and prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle when the spline hub portion and the spline shaft portion are engaged. In a deployed state the spline shaft and the spline hub portions may be engaged, and in a stowed state the spline shaft and the spline hub portions may be free of engagement. A base disposed in the support assembly engages the spline hub portion in the stowed state to prevent rotation of the outer steering spindle.