Power steering is a system that uses a hydraulic pump or an electric motor to supplement, or in some cases, replace, the force of the driver’s steering wheel input. The purpose of power steering is to reduce steering effort, mainly during low-speed operation. It has been a standard feature on most vehicles for decades.
Power steering has evolved from hydraulics to motors, as electric motors are lighter, more efficient, and more reliable than hydraulic systems. Electric power steering (EPS) continues to advance, with drive-by-wire systems becoming more common and refined. In a drive-by-wire system, the electric motor takes full responsibility for steering. The steering wheel acts as a controller, sending signals to the steering system rather than transmitting force. This transformation is vital to semi-autonomous and autonomous driving systems, as the vehicle’s computers can control its direction.
