A steering wheel that is mounted directly to a motor is referred to as a direct drive wheel. This implies that the user can fully enjoy the force feedback provided by that electric motor. This significantly improves the immersion of the sim racing experience because there are fewer components needed.
Indicators of the quality and performance of direct-drive wheels, as well as sim racing wheels in general, include the fidelity and detail of force feedback, smooth torque transmission, nearly-zero backlash, rotary encoder resolution, clipping, dynamic range, torque ripple, cogging torque, drivers, digital signal processing with control electronics, signal filtering, back drive friction, low inertia, damping, quick response, precise positioning, electromagnetic interference, and an array of other factors.
Are direct drive wheels reliable?
Compared to the popular goods on the market, direct-drive wheels provide a more comprehensive and fulfilling experience. This is mostly attributable to the force feedback response, which is much more accurate, trustworthy, and consistent.
For a study on hard real-time multibody simulation and high-fidelity steering wheel force feedback, a preliminary comparison of gear-driven and direct-drive wheels in the 0–30 Hz frequency range in 2015 found that direct-drive wheels are superior.