Nexteer Automotive is the global leader in advanced steering and motion control technologies. It has introduced its High Mount Direct Drive Steer-by-Wire Hand-Wheel Actuator. Mainly used in steering system packaging and cockpit design for software-defined vehicles, the compact actuator architecture. By integrating the high-mount motor location and direct-drive responsiveness, it has allowed greater design freedom, premium steering feel, and scalable integration across different vehicle platforms. Since OEMs move toward software-defined, electrified and increasingly flexible vehicle architectures that bring opportunity to grow from mechanical layouts to adaptable and software-run motion control solutions.
Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in advanced steering and motion control technologies, has introduced its High Mount Direct Drive Steer-by-Wire Hand-Wheel Actuator (HMDD). This compact actuator architecture helps OEMs rethink steering system packaging and cockpit design for software-defined vehicles. By combining a high-mount motor location, direct-drive responsiveness and stationary hub, HMDD enables greater design freedom, premium steering feel and scalable integration across vehicle platforms. As OEMs move toward software-defined, electrified and increasingly flexible vehicle architectures, steering systems have an opportunity to evolve from fixed mechanical layouts to more adaptable, software-enabled motion control solutions.
Lightweight, Flexible and Adaptable Design
HMDD is the latest addition to Nexteer’s Direct Drive Hand-Wheel Actuator portfolio for Steer-by-Wire systems, which translate driver steering input into digital commands to the road wheels while delivering steering feel feedback to the driver. Alongside Nexteer’s low-mount option positioned under the dash, HMDD gives OEMs additional flexibility to select the actuator architecture that best supports their vehicle packaging, cockpit design and driver experience strategies.
By combining a compact high-mount architecture, direct-drive responsiveness and a stationary hub, HMDD creates new opportunities for automakers to reimagine the cockpit, including:
- Greater steering interface design flexibility, including center-hub control and display concepts, stowable or reconfigurable steering interfaces and expanded steering wheel placement options.
- Next-generation airbag integration, enabled by a stationary hub that removes the need for symmetrically designed driver airbags required for rotating systems.
- Mass reduction opportunities of up to 23 percent compared with legacy column-based architectures, depending on vehicle application and packaging requirements.
- Scalable integration across internal combustion, hybrid and electric vehicle platforms, with support for 12V and 48V electrical architectures and left- and right-hand-drive configurations.
Unlocking Motion Control for Software-Defined Vehicles
HMDD strengthens Nexteer’s SbW portfolio, which is part of the company’s broader Motion-by-Wire™ chassis control strategy, spanning steering, braking, rear-wheel steering and software-enabled motion control. When combined, these technologies enable coordinated motion control that advances safety, performance and efficiency beyond what mechanical systems alone can achieve.
“Nexteer’s HMDD gives OEMs a new way to rethink the cockpit and driver experience while enhancing the steering feel, packaging flexibility and safety-critical performance,” said Michael Hales, Executive Director, Research & Development, Nexteer Automotive. “As vehicles become more software-defined, technologies like HMDD help create a more flexible foundation for differentiated steering experiences and future vehicle architectures.”
For drivers, HMDD is designed to deliver a premium steering feel through smooth, direct torque response and adjustable modes that provide realistic road feedback and driver connection. Its direct-drive configuration and flexible software tuning can support future feature evolution through software including potential over-the-air updates as OEM software strategies advance.
For OEMs, Nexteer’s HMDD creates opportunities to standardize and scale SbW hardware while allowing brand differentiation through software-defined steering feel, cockpit experience and user features. This approach can help reduce part complexity, support faster development and create a more flexible foundation for future software-enabled vehicles.
Nexteer’s HMDD was recently named a finalist for the 2026 Automotive News PACE Pilot Award, recognizing its potential as a pre-commercial innovation with strong market relevance.
To learn more about Nexteer’s HMDD, visit Nexteer’s Steer-by-Wire webpage.
About Nexteer Automotive
Nexteer Automotive (HK 1316) is a global leading motion control technology company accelerating mobility to be safe, green and exciting. Our innovative portfolio supports by-wire chassis control, including electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steer-by-wire and rear-wheel steering systems, steering columns and intermediate shafts, driveline systems, software solutions and brake-by-wire.
