A steering column for a motor vehicle comprises a covering unit. A steering spindle is rotatably supported about a longitudinal axis which extends in a longitudinal direction. At least three covering elements can be displaced in a telescope-like manner in a longitudinal direction and which comprise at least one internal covering, an external covering and an intermediate element. A motorised displacement drive includes a first spindle drive arranged between the internal covering and the intermediate element and a second spindle drive arranged between the intermediate element and the external covering engages with the covering elements. The first spindle drive has a first threaded spindle which engages a first spindle nut and is selectively driven in rotation relative thereto by a drive unit. The second spindle drive has a second threaded spindle which engages a second spindle nut that can be driven in rotation relative thereto by the drive unit.

A vehicle (12) operable in manual and autonomous modes has a manual steering control unit (10) movable between a stowed position and an operative position. Movement of the steering control unit (10) as it transitions between stowed and operative positions comprises at least a component in a lateral direction of the vehicle so that when not in use, it is located laterally outside the free interior volume of the vehicle cabin (14) in the stowed position. The manual steering control unit (10) can be received within a recess (18) in a side wall region (16) of the vehicle cabin or in a central console in the stowed position.

A vehicle (12) operable in manual and autonomous modes has a manual steering control unit (10) movable between a stowed position and an operative position. Movement of the steering control unit (10) as it transitions between stowed and operative positions comprises at least a component in a lateral direction of the vehicle so that when not in use, it is located laterally outside the free interior volume of the vehicle cabin (14) in the stowed position. The manual steering control unit (10) can be received within a recess (18) in a side wall region (16) of the vehicle cabin or in a central console in the stowed position.

A steering column assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, an elongate rotatable steering column, a gear and a torque feedback motor. The elongate rotatable steering column is configured at one end for attachment of a steering wheel and is displaceable into and out of the housing along its longitudinal axis (A). The gear is rotatably mounted coaxially with the steering column within the housing and keyed with the steering column. The torque feedback motor is connected to the gear wherein the keyed connection between the steering column and the gear allows longitudinal displacement of the steering column relative to the gear.

A rotation control system for a steering system of a vehicle includes a steering shaft. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering shaft switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode. The rotational control system further includes a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt.

A rotation control system for a steering system of a vehicle includes a steering shaft. The rotation control system also includes at least one component operatively coupled to the steering shaft, the steering shaft switchable between a rotational condition and a non-rotational condition during operation of the vehicle, the rotational condition occurring during a manual driving mode and the non-rotational condition occurring during an autonomous driving mode. The rotational control system further includes a condition switching device for allowing a user to switch between the rotational condition and the non-rotational condition, the condition switching device comprising at least one of a switch, a button, and a voice prompt.

A steering apparatus includes a steering wheel that rotates about a first rotation axis, a folding mechanism that folds the steering wheel along the first rotation axis, a moving mechanism that moves the steering wheel between a protruding position in which the steering wheel protrudes from a dashboard of the vehicle and a stored position closer to the dashboard than the protruding position, and an electronic control unit that drives the folding mechanism and the moving mechanism. When the folded steering wheel is moved from the protruding position to the stored position, the electronic control unit drives, in advance, a drive member mounted on the vehicle so that the steering wheel is retracted relative to a body of a driver.

A steering apparatus includes a steering wheel that rotates about a first rotation axis, a folding mechanism that folds the steering wheel along the first rotation axis, a moving mechanism that moves the steering wheel between a protruding position in which the steering wheel protrudes from a dashboard of the vehicle and a stored position closer to the dashboard than the protruding position, and an electronic control unit that drives the folding mechanism and the moving mechanism. When the folded steering wheel is moved from the protruding position to the stored position, the electronic control unit drives, in advance, a drive member mounted on the vehicle so that the steering wheel is retracted relative to a body of a driver.

A steering wheel assembly has a central hub configured to connect to a steering column, at least one retractable hand grip attached to the central hub, one or more control cables disposed internal of each retractable hand grip, and a drive mechanism connected to the control cables. The drive mechanism is located either at or in the central hub or remotely relative to the steering wheel assembly. The drive mechanism when activated can selectively move one or more of the control cables to move the retractable grips to a retracted position or a non-retracted position. Optionally, the hand grips can be connected directly to the central hub and/or to one or more spokes extending form the central hub. Each of the retractable hand grips has at least one and up to four control cables.

A steering wheel assembly has a central hub configured to connect to a steering column, at least one retractable hand grip attached to the central hub, one or more control cables disposed internal of each retractable hand grip, and a drive mechanism connected to the control cables. The drive mechanism is located either at or in the central hub or remotely relative to the steering wheel assembly. The drive mechanism when activated can selectively move one or more of the control cables to move the retractable grips to a retracted position or a non-retracted position. Optionally, the hand grips can be connected directly to the central hub and/or to one or more spokes extending form the central hub. Each of the retractable hand grips has at least one and up to four control cables.