Tesla published a patent application for a steering system that nearly doubles the rotation range of current steer-by-wire setups, a technology likely destined for the next-generation Roadster that CEO Elon Musk said will be unveiled in late April.
The patent, titled ‘Multi-Turn Steering Feedback Actuator’, describes a steering column assembly that extends available steering input from approximately ±170 degrees to ±340 degrees from centre.
Steer by wire eliminated the need for any mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the road wheels.
“New Roadster unveil hopefully next month. It will be a banger next-level,” Musk wrote on X on March 17.
He previously confirmed that the production Roadster would include steer-by-wire technology similar to the Cybertruck’s.
The filing was first spotted by X user @seti_park.
How It Works
Current steer-by-wire systems, including the one in the Cybertruck, limit steering rotation to approximately ±170 degrees from centre.
The restriction exists due to mechanical hard stops designed to prevent over-rotation and protect internal components.
Tesla‘s patent replaces the traditional single hard stop with a two-stage mechanism.
A rotating member — described in the filing as a stop ring — operates in conjunction with both a shaft stop and a housing stop.
When the driver turns the wheel past the first stop, the rotating member and shaft continue turning together as a combined assembly until a secondary stop engages, according to the patent.
The staged approach extends the total range of motion to approximately ±340 degrees while maintaining precise control over when and where resistance is applied.
The patent also describes damping elements — such as O-rings — placed at key contact points to soften the transition between stops. This would eliminate the abrupt ‘end stop’ sensation common in existing steer-by-wire systems.
Variable Steering Feel
Beyond extending rotation, the system integrates with a feedback actuator capable of delivering variable torque through a belt-driven or gear-based mechanism.
The system allows the steering resistance to be adjusted dynamically based on speed and driving conditions — simulating the feel of a traditional mechanical steering column entirely through software.
At high speeds, the system could provide an ultra-quick steering ratio similar to a Formula 1 car’s.
At low speeds, it would deliver the wider rotation needed for parking and tight turns. Achieving both in a single system has historically been difficult — conventional steering systems require a fixed mechanical ratio that compromises one end of the range.
Patent Pattern
The steer-by-wire filing is one of several Roadster-related patents and trademarks Tesla has filed this year.
A separate patent published on March 6 (US 2026/0061898 A1) describes a monolithic composite seat with six independently tuned stiffness zones and six degrees of freedom in positioning. The company has also filed a stylised ‘Roadster’ wordmark, an updated vehicle design, and a single-seat framework concept.
The Cybertruck, which began deliveries in late 2023, was the first production Tesla to use steer-by-wire.
Its system operates with ±170 degrees of rotation and a fixed yoke input.
Roadster Timeline
The new Roadster has faced repeated delays since Tesla first unveiled a prototype in 2017, when the company began accepting $50,000 deposits for the $200,000 base model and $250,000 for the Founders Series.
At Tesla‘s annual shareholder meeting last November, Musk said the demo and unveil event would take place in early April 2026. “We’re aiming for April 1 of next year,” he said, adding: “I have some deniability because, like, I could say I was just kidding.”
He described the event as “the most exciting, whether it works or not, demo ever of any product.”
On the January earnings call, Musk was more cautious: “We’re hoping to debut in April.”
He said the announcement came alongside the confirmation that Tesla will stop offering its flagship Model S and Model X later this year as it transitions production lines toward the Optimus humanoid robot.
Production of the Roadster is expected to begin in mid-to-late 2027.
“Production is probably about, you know, 12 to 18 months after that,” Musk said at the shareholder meeting, referring to the demo event.
In February 2024, Musk wrote on X that the company had “radically increased the design goals for the new Tesla Roadster. There will never be another car like this, if you could even call it a car.”
