Audi has filed a patent with the European Patent Office for a system designed to help drivers execute the perfect drift. Integrating with its torque-vectoring rear differential, the system uses sensor inputs to monitor steering angle, wheel slip, and other parameters. It then provides feedback through audio, visual cues, the steering wheel, and even the seat, ensuring precise driver control and enhanced drifting performance.
Feedback On Your Drifting Prowess
When the driver attempts a drift, various sensors will determine the vehicle’s speed, steering angle, and wheel slip. The system then calculates the required inputs to perform a controlled drift, and can provide feedback to the driver in various ways:
- Via the head-up display in the driver’s line of sight
- Audio cues
- Steering-wheel feedback
- Seat feedback
How It Works
The system coaches the driver to hold a drift. While limited information is provided, the visual and audio cues seem obvious; these will most likely be presented in the form of bold text or arrows in the head-up display and by way of voice instructions via the vehicle’s audio system. The system is likely going to work in conjunction with Audi’s torque-vectoring rear diff, which makes drifting possible by overpowering the outside rear wheel, causing it to lose grip.
We’re more intrigued by the tactile feedback provided through the steering wheel and seat. The former is probably easy to do, and the technology is already in use to help drivers react correctly to oversteer and understeer conditions – by nudging the steering or “suggesting” the right course of action by lowering steering resistance in the direction the wheel should be turned.
How the seat feedback works, we have yet to see, but it seems to be giving new meaning to the expression “steering by the seat of your pants”. We suspect this might take the form of active bolsters, seat tilting, or seat vibrations, but this is all very much speculation at this stage. What is evident is that Audi is adamant to keep driving fun front and center, and this novel system is unique in the way it provides real-time feedback to would-be drifters.
