world’s first retractable steering wheel turns vehicles autonomous

retractable steering wheel designed for autonomous vehicles

Autoliv and Tensor introduce a retractable steering wheel designed for autonomous vehicles, fully disappearing when the car drives itself. Unveiled at CES 2026, the design responds to automated riding, especially Level 4 driving, where the vehicle can manage all driving tasks within certain conditions without human input. The retractable steering wheel is co-developed with Tensor’s Robocar autonomous driving system. When the vehicle switches into Level 4 autonomous mode, the steering wheel retracts, clearing the driver’s area. This creates more space in the cabin and allows the front seat area to function more like a living or working space rather than a traditional cockpit.

When manual driving is required, the steering wheel folds back into place, restoring a familiar driving setup. The airbag system changes depending on whether the vehicle is in autonomous or manual mode. A passenger airbag integrated into the instrument panel is activated when the steering wheel is retracted, while when the steering wheel is in use, the airbag inside the wheel is enabled instead. Autoliv says both configurations have the same level of protection, allowing safety systems to match the driving mode rather than relying on a single fixed layout.

all images courtesy of Autoliv and Tensor

Users can choose between manual and self-driving

The design of the retractable steering wheel shies away from fixed, one-size-fits-all vehicle interiors. Autoliv’s Chief Technology Officer Fabien Dumont says that safety systems now need to adapt to different driving situations and user needs. Tensor CEO Jay Xiao adds that while full self-driving offers new experiences, many people still want the option to drive manually. The project is presented as a way to support both preferences in one vehicle. The folding mechanism design by the two companies helps users learn when and how autonomous systems operate.

When the wheel retracts, it signals clearly that the vehicle is in full self-driving mode, and as soon as it comes back, it indicates that human attention is needed. The extra space created when the steering wheel retracts also improves comfort for users who are not actively driving. For passengers who are nervous about autonomous systems, the ability to sit back with more legroom and fewer controls in front of them can make the experience feel less like driving and more like being transported. So far, the Tensor Robocar featuring the retractable steering wheel, will be offered in the US, EU, and Middle East markets after the CES 2026.

the wheel folds into the driver’s dashboard