Drive-by-wire would, for example, do away with the distinction between left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles, since the driver would no longer be tied to the steering wheel and the location of the pedals.

ECONOMIST: Drive by wire

Longtime Forbes columnist Jerry Flint, meanwhile, thinks Toyota and other carmakers should scrap their electronic drive-by-wire systems.

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The center console area includes the palm shifter (inspired by a PC mouse) for the "by wire" drive selector.

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Drive-by-wire has been tested successfully in a Mercedes roadster and on simulators.

ECONOMIST: Drive by wire

One day, the company's engineers hope, drive-by-wire could link to the fancy cruise-control, lane-maintenance and vehicle-separation systems that are already being used in some Mercedes models.

ECONOMIST: Drive by wire

The company also makes a drive-by-wire zero-emission vehicle for Antarctica.

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To make this work, regular controls had to be replaced with drive-by-wire, and the accelerator, steering wheel and brake are gone in favor of an aerospace-type yoke that (as in a Segway), is moved forward to move the vehicle forward, and back for reversing.

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He described it as a hybrid turret with slightly reduced functionality but capabilities such as private wire, ability to set up and join intercoms, monitor and drive speakers and do instant messaging to portfolio managers and compliance.

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