Press Release, 7 October 2025
Nexteer Automotive has unveiled its latest innovation in steering control: the Direct Drive Hand Wheel Actuator (DD-HWA). This technology replaces the conventional mechanical linkage between a vehicle’s steering wheel and its wheels with an electronic interface that can respond more precisely and with greater flexibility. The DD-HWA is built to support both 12 V and 48 V architectures, making it suitable for traditional, hybrid and fully electric vehicles alike.
What sets the DD-HWA apart is its promise of delivering a “premium steering feel” while also freeing up space inside the cabin. The actuator comes in both low-mount and high-mount designs, allowing automakers to place the steering interface almost anywhere within the interior—opening up new possibilities for cabin layouts and stowage features. (For example, the feedback actuator may sit beneath the dash or just under the wheel itself.) The system also embeds redundant multi-channel sensors and a rigid-connection structure to boost safety and precision, while internal motor development helps maintain tight control over performance.
Robin Milavec, President and CTO of Nexteer, explained that the DD-HWA is a step forward in the company’s “Motion-by-Wire” portfolio, aiming to give OEMs both flexibility and differentiation in future vehicle designs. As the automotive industry shifts toward software-defined vehicles, this actuator could become a key element in delivering advanced driver assists, automation features, and innovative interiors—without being constrained by traditional steering column layouts.
Source: PR Newswire, Nexteer
