Automatically retracting and extending a vehicle steering wheel

1. A system for automatically adjusting a steering wheel of a vehicle, the system comprising:

a controller configured to generate a control signal for retracting the steering wheel to a collapsed position, the steering wheel including a first half and a second half;

an actuator configured to collapse the steering wheel in response to the control signal, wherein the actuator is configured to:

fold the first and second halves of the steering wheel in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a longitudinal axis defined by a steering column; and

retract the steering wheel along the direction of the longitudinal axis, towards a dashboard;

wherein the controller is further configured to extend the steering wheel at an increased frequency in response to stored user improvement data relating to driving ability of a user.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate a second control signal for extending the steering wheel from the collapsed position, and

wherein the actuator is further configured to:

extend the steering wheel in the direction of the longitudinal axis, away from the dashboard; and

unfold the first and second halves of the steering wheel in the direction orthogonal to a direction of a longitudinal axis.

3. The system of claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a sensor or a camera configured to detect and transmit information to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to generate the control signal based on the information.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the information is indicative of an autonomous driving status of the vehicle.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to fold the first and second halves of the steering wheel and retract the steering wheel simultaneously.

6. The system of claim 2 , wherein the controller is further configured to extend the driver seat in parallel of extending the steering wheel.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the steering wheel comprises an elliptical shape.

8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to fold the first and second halves about a fixed pivot extending along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to fold the first and second halves about an airbag stored in the steering column of the steering wheel.

10. A vehicle, comprising:

a steering wheel including a first half and a second half;

a controller configured to generate a control signal for retracting the steering wheel to a collapsed position;

an actuator configured to collapse the steering wheel in response to the control signal, wherein the actuator is configured to:

fold the first and second halves of the steering wheel in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a longitudinal axis defined by a steering column; and

retract the steering wheel along the direction of the longitudinal axis, towards a dashboard;

wherein the controller is further configured to extend the steering wheel at an increased frequency in response to stored user improvement data relating to driving ability of a user.

11. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the controller is further configured to generate a second control signal for extending the steering wheel from the collapsed position, and

wherein the actuator is further configured to:

extend the steering wheel in the direction of the longitudinal axis, away from the dashboard; and

unfold the first and second halves of the steering wheel in the direction orthogonal to a direction of a longitudinal axis.

12. The vehicle of claim 10 , further comprising at least one of a sensor or a camera configured to detect and transmit information to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to generate the control signal based on the information.

13. The vehicle of claim 12 , wherein the information is indicative of an autonomous driving status of the vehicle.

14. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is configured to fold the first and second halves of the steering wheel and retract the steering wheel simultaneously.

15. The vehicle of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to extend the driver seat in parallel of extending the steering wheel.

16. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the steering wheel comprises an elliptical shape.

17. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is configured to fold the first and second halves about a fixed pivot extending along the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis.

18. The vehicle of claim 10 , wherein the actuator is configured to fold the first and second halves about an airbag stored in the steering column of the steering wheel.

19. A method for automatically adjusting a steering wheel of a vehicle, the method comprising:

generating, by at least one controller, a control signal for retracting the steering wheel to a collapsed position, the steering wheel including a first half and a second half;

collapsing, by at least one actuator, the steering wheel in response to the control signal, wherein collapsing the steering wheel includes:

folding the first and second halves of the steering wheel in a direction orthogonal to a direction of a longitudinal axis defined by a steering column; and

retracting the steering wheel along the direction of the longitudinal axis, towards a dashboard; and

extending the steering wheel at an increased frequency in response to stored user improvement data relating to driving ability of a user.

20. The method of claim 19 , further including:

extending the steering wheel in the direction of the longitudinal axis, away from the dashboard; and

unfolding the first and second halves of the steering wheel in the direction orthogonal to a direction of a longitudinal axis.