Autoliv and Tensor unveil a folding steering wheel for Level 4 autonomy

Autoliv and Tensor have unveiled an uncommon solution for vehicles with high levels of autonomy: a folding steering assembly that retracts in Level 4 autopilot. The idea is simple yet effective—when the electronics take full control, the wheel folds away, freeing up the space in front of the driver and making the cabin feel roomier and more comfortable. It’s the kind of pragmatic design that helps autonomy feel more natural in everyday use.

The standout element is an adaptive safety setup. In autonomous mode, the passenger airbag integrated into the dashboard is the one that comes into play, while the airbag in the steering wheel is reserved for manual driving. In other words, the system adapts to the driving scenario instead of following a one-size-fits-all pattern.

The folding wheel is integrated with the Tensor Robocar autonomous platform. The system is aimed at series production and will be offered across several markets, including the United States, the European Union, and countries in the Middle East. The developers stress that it’s too early to ditch manual control entirely; even as autonomy spreads, many drivers still want the option to take the wheel.

Autoliv maintains that the traditional approach to automotive safety has outlived its moment: the best modern cars, in their view, should factor in not only crash tests but also how people behave in different driving modes. Tensor, for its part, is betting on flexibility—letting the driver decide when to trust the electronics and when to drive personally. That logic tracks: preserving choice tends to smooth the shift toward autonomous tech.