[sdp]

Hey guys,

I came up with an idea for an invention, which suprisingly, seems to not have been made yet. Notice how all the luxury cars on the market have heated seats, lcd screens, tv's, and plentiful other features? Whats missing? A steering wheel that won't freeze or burn your hands.

Scenario: Its a summer afternoon and you leave your house to go for a drive to the mall. Temperature: 95 degrees. You take a seat in your car and get ready to drive and realize how hot your steering wheel is. As a result, you have to wait till your car cools down by the air conditioning.

Solution: Thermo Steering Wheel - designed with a control system to heat or cool your steeing wheel in seconds with the click of a button. No more waiting for the car to cool down or heat up in order to get on the road.

Do you guys think there is a market for this? I was thinking about making a prototype and introducing it to luxury car companies such as BMW, Lexus, Mercedes, etc. As well, I could sell it as an optional feature for average cars with an extra price. Let me know what you guys think

Thanks in advance

[deks]

its a great idea...

im kinda partial to this idea becuz a couple years ago while i was working in an auto detailing shop in BC we ran through alot of luxury cars and i always asked myself... we're in canada we see cold weather where is the stearing wheel heater.... and i even drew schematics up and developed the idea on paper... it never got passed that.... so i think the idea is amazing and has alot of potential... but the one question i also asked myself when designing and playing with the thought... is ... what reason....... the auto industry has been around for quite a few years... and they have experienced and seen the harshness of extreme weather conditions... why havent they implimented this idea cuz im quite positive its come across their table a few times....

just my two pennies...


--
derek

[GSchubert751]

The idea is already in design, the 2005 745i and 645i bmw's and all the new body style mercerdes have sterring wheels that you can adjust the temperature. I was checking them out at the auto show last weekend.

[sdp]

There goes that Thanks anyway...hmm i just looked into the 2005 745i at http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/7/745iSedan/features.htm and it says nothing about temperature controlled steering from what I see

[sonnyrizo]

If I was a billionare, I'd think of buying something like that. In other words, I'd never buy it. Why? Because its not something you really think about. I am in the car for maybe 10 minutes at most, and I can always wear gloves.

[insomnia]

Seems like a decent idea, but steering wheels are usually a leathery/rubber type material, and so don't carry heat or coldness very well.

Good luck if you decide to pursue this though!

[mxer210]

My steering wheel is metal with rubber wrapped around it. The rubber isn't very thick and its cold in the winter, hot in the summer. I drive a '89 GMC safari so I guess that isn't exactly luxury.

[robyang!]

Most people wear gloves, or put those fuzzy coverings on their steering wheel. The idea is not economical nor do the benefits outweigh the costs. Make something more practical, like a one handed steering wheel attachment. (That idea is already taken)

[focusben]

A couple of models of cars have this feature already. I've seen it on Speed Channel before.

I believe it was the BMW Z8 that has this feature for the steering wheel. In Europe, some people drive with the top down even in the wintertime but blast the heat. There are also headrests that heat up to keep the driver from getting cold.

[Karen]

Originally posted by focusben

In Europe, some people drive with the top down even in the wintertime but blast the heat.

What's up with that?!?!?!?

My brother in law used to do that when he was a teenager..... he was sooooo cooool driving his trans am with the top down.... in -30 weather.

Karen

[Eric Locken]

I think the cost of this idea (except on a BMW or something) makes it a bit of a non starter.

Put a towel on the steering wheel to keep it from getting too hot.

[sdp]

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your criticisms. I'll think of another idea to pursue