Alongside the Land Cruiser Se and the EPU electric pick-up truck concept shown by Toyota, the Japanese manufacturer also unveiled its Neo Steer cockpit concept that is based on controls as used on the handlebar of a motorcycle. Here, it is installed in what appears to be a 2024 Land Cruiser Prado.
This integrates accelerator and brake controls into a steering yoke, where the driver would place their right hand. Benefits of the Neo Steer control concept include an improved field of vision “made possible by the steering wheel’s irregular profile”, along with the increased room in the driver’s footwell that has omitted foot pedals thanks to the relocation of accelerator and braking controls to the yoke.
Both the accelerator and brake levers are located on the right hand position of the yoke, with the accelerator lever appearing to be positioned for thumb operation. The motion of depressing this lever is similar to the direction of rotating a motorcycle’s throttle grip for acceleration, while the brake lever is positioned like those on motorcycles and bicycles.
In addition to helping “foster greater love for cars, and deliver the joy and excitement of mobility for all”, according to Toyota, the aforementioned increased room in the driver’s footwell made possible by this control concept offers safe, intuitive hand operated driving for users with lower limb impairments.
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