Guiding Wheels’ Prior, Current and (Autonomous) Potential

Steering Wheels: From Tillers to Autonomous Cabins

The steering wheel is one of those objects most drivers never think about, yet its history says a lot about how people move around a city like Los Angeles. The earliest motor cars borrowed the tiller from boats: a simple lever pushed left or right. It worked at walking pace but became tiring and imprecise as speeds rose. Round wheels took over in the early years of the twentieth century because they gave drivers more leverage, finer control and a natural place to rest both hands.

The wheel today

Over the decades the wheel has gained far more than a horn button. Power steering made large cars manageable in tight parking structures. Airbags turned the hub into a safety device. Modern wheels carry controls for audio, phone calls, cruise control and driver-assistance features. Many now include sensors that check whether the driver's hands are on the rim, a small detail that shows how much the car is already doing on its own.

What autonomy could change

Driverless technology raises an obvious question: does a car that steers itself still need a wheel at all? Robotaxi services have been tested on public roads in several American cities, and designers have shown concept cabins with retractable wheels or none at all, laid out more like a lounge than a cockpit. For now, regulations, public trust and mixed traffic mean most vehicles keep a conventional wheel, and full self-driving is still developing.

For anyone heading out to a concert or show, this matters in practical ways. Rideshare and autonomous pilots could reshape how crowds arrive at and leave big venues, easing the hunt for parking and making late-night trips home simpler. Until then, the usual advice holds: plan your route, check the venue's own transport and parking guidance, and allow extra time on busy event nights. You can find more on getting around in our LA venues section and practical tips in our guides.