Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 9, 2024, NIO announced that its flagship sedan, the ET9, has received mass-production approval from China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) for its steer-by-wire (SbW) technology. This makes the ET9 China's first vehicle model to incorporate SbW technology, placing it alongside Tesla's Cybertruck as one of the few globally available vehicles with this advanced feature.
SbW technology replaces the traditional mechanical connection between the steering wheel and wheels with electronic signals, offering a fully powered steering system. Compared to conventional mechanical steering, SbW feature delivers greater precision, lower latency, and higher efficiency. These enhancements improve road feel, stability, and overall driving dynamics, providing a revolutionary steering experience.
Moreover, SbW is a critical component for integrated vehicle chassis control and serves as a core execution system for Level 3 and higher autonomous driving capabilities.
China is set to begin drafting national standards for SbW technology in 2025. NIO will play a central role as a core member of the standards committee and the sole participant with a mass-production vehicle equipped with this technology. The ET9’s rigorous reliability and functional safety standards, comprehensive R&D and testing processes, extensive operational data, and real-world production experience will provide a solid foundation for establishing these standards.
