For more than a century, driving a car meant being mechanically connected to it. Turning the steering wheel rotated a physical column linked directly to the front wheels. Pressing the gas pedal pulled a throttle cable. Stepping on the brakes engaged a hydraulic system that you could feel through your foot. This mechanical connection gave drivers not just control but also a sense of feedback, what enthusiasts often call “road feel.” But in recent years, much of that tactile link has been replaced by something known as fly-by-wire technology and the changes it’s bringing to the driving experience are profound.
What “Fly-By-Wire” Means
The term “fly-by-wire” originated in aviation. Instead of the pilot’s controls directly moving the plane’s rudder, ailerons or elevators, sensors detect the inputs and computers translate them into electronic signals that control actuators through electric motors and hydraulic systems. This technology made its way into military aircraft in the mid-20th century and later into commercial aviation. This technology was praised for its precision and ability to correct pilot error and mishandling of the controls.
