Education

Sequel’s By-wire Control Systems

Sequel has an 11-inch thick skateboard chassis. Nearly everything that powers Sequel is contained in this skateboard: the fuel cell system, hydrogen storage and by-wire systems.

By-wire systems are electronic controls. Much like a video game controller, a by-wire system uses electronics to send messages to other components in the vehicle. Instead of a brake pedal, the Hy-wire has a button to push. The Hy-wire is GM's first drivable fuel cell vehicle. The steering wheel on the Hy-wire is much smaller than cars on the road today, because it doesn’t have mechanical linkages, only wires.

By-wire systems can also use traditional steering wheels and brake pedals. On the Sequel fuel cell concept, the steering wheel and brake pedals will send input to the by-wire system. The electronic by-wire system does the rest by sending messages to the wheels.

The Hy-wire was designed to show that a by-wire system can be built. For Sequel, the goal is to show how a car driven today can be improved with by-wire systems. Today, drivers use steering wheels and brake pedals, not buttons. It may take drivers a while to get used to using buttons. In the meantime, Sequel shows how to use the technology while making it comfortable for drivers.

By-wire systems can be more environmentally friendly than traditional braking and steering systems. These traditional systems require brake fluid and lubrication (oil-based fluids) for the steering mechanics. These fluids can be difficult to dispose of, because they can be hazardous to the environment. By-wire technology does not use fluids.