This steering wheel literally disappears into the dashboard to give you a private lounge on wheels
Published on Jan 06, 2026 at 1:52 AM (UTC+4)
by Claire Reid
Last updated on Jan 06, 2026 at 3:41 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Kate Bain
The world’s first foldable steering wheel has been unveiled, allowing an easy switch between manual and autonomous driving.
It’s set to be a huge year when it comes to autonomous vehicles, with Aurora recently claiming hundreds of its driverless trucks will hit the road in 2026, and the Tesla Cybercab slated to go into production.
The Tensor Robocar is also set to go into volume production in the second half of 2026, and its cars will come with an interesting new feature.
Tensor joined forces with Autoliv to create the world’s first foldable steering wheel, and it’s been designed with autonomous driving in mind.
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The foldable wheel neatly packs away inside the dashboard
As the automotive industry gears up for high-level automation, this smart foldable steering wheel could be a game-changer in in-car design.
It works seamlessly with the autonomous driving system in the Tensor Robocar and retracts when it’s in Level 4 mode: neatly folding away so motorists can enjoy a more spacious and roomy cabin without a bulky steering wheel taking up space.
However, if you fancy taking control of the wheel, then you can simply press a button, and it’ll pop back out again, allowing you to drive as normal.
“Fully self-driving technology provides a groundbreaking user experience, but manual driving in certain scenarios is still desired by many people. Our dual-mode approach with a foldable steering wheel combines the best of both worlds and gives customers the freedom to choose,” CEO of Tensor Jay Xiao said.
“Foldable steering wheels previously existed only in concept cars — now we are bringing this innovation to volume-production vehicles for everyday use.”
The airbag system also adapts depending on the driving mode.
When the steering wheel is retracted, a passenger airbag integrated into the instrument panel is enabled, while during manual driving, the airbag located within the steering wheel is used.
Tesla will launch its Cybercab with no steering wheel or pedals this year
While this foldable wheel offers motorists the choice between manual or autonomous driving, Tesla has opted to scrap the wheel and pedals altogether for its upcoming Cybercab.
The Cybercab was unveiled back in October 2024 at the We, Robot event and was pitted as a rival for the likes of Waymo and Zoox.
However, it hit a bit of a stumbling block earlier this year, prompting Tesla board chair Robyn Denholm to say the EV could be launched with ‘a steering wheel and pedals — if we have to’.
But shortly after those comments, Musk appeared on the All in Podcast, where he said the Cybercab wouldn’t have pedals or a steering wheel by the time it went into production.
It’s hard to keep up, isn’t it?
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Claire Reid is a journalist who hails from the UK but is now living in New Zealand. She began her career after graduating with a degree in Journalism from Liverpool John Moore’s University and has more than a decade of experience, writing for both local newspapers and national news sites. Claire covers a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on cars, technology, planes, cryptocurrency, and luxury.
