Why I Put a Fidget Toy on a Steering Wheel

A 3-year journey into tackling "distracted driving" by studying the nature of distraction itself.

My name is HJ LEE, and I'm the creator of the Fidget Steer Grip.

When I first pitched this idea, nearly everyone asked me the same question: "You want people to play with something while they drive? Isn't that dangerous?"

It’s a perfectly reasonable question. After all, the cardinal rule of road safety is to minimize distractions. This article is my answer to that question and a transparent look into the philosophy that drove this product's creation. I'm not here to persuade you. I'm here to share my process, hoping to earn your understanding.

The Problem Began With a Simple Observation: People Fidget While Driving.

I'm a driver, just like you. I also have a close friend with ADHD who finds long drives agonizing, and a family member who struggles with severe driving anxiety. Watching them over the years, I noticed a common, paradoxical behavior:



They knew they needed to focus on the road, yet they were constantly doing something else in order to stay focused.

Some would endlessly tap their smartphones. Others would skip songs every ten seconds. Still others would anxiously pick at their nails. The root of these behaviors is the same: it's the brain's desperate attempt at self-regulation. It's a fight to either raise a state of under-stimulation (boredom) or to soothe a state of over-stimulation (anxiety).

The problem was clear. The human brain resists doing 'nothing'. This forced me to reframe the question I needed to solve.

The wrong question was: "How do we stop people from fidgeting while driving?" (X)
The right question became: "How can we channel that innate need to fidget in the safest way possible?" (O)



The Process: From 'Distraction' to 'Anchoring'

This philosophy became the core of our three-year R&D process. We had to design a "safe distraction" to prevent far more dangerous ones. Our guiding principles were strict:

  1. It Must Not Require Visual Attention: This was non-negotiable. All interaction had to be purely tactile. The moment a user has to look down at the product, we have failed. We went through dozens of prototypes to create an ergonomic shape that the hand finds naturally, allowing for subconscious operation.

  2. It Must Keep Hands on the Wheel: The most critical function of this product is not 'fun'; it's anchoring. The energy that would otherwise cause a hand to wander—towards a smartphone or the infotainment system—is instead contained and expended in the safest possible place: the steering wheel. We call this the 'Attentional Anchor' mechanism.

  3. It Must Adapt to Prevent Habituation: The brain gets used to the same old thing. To combat this, we developed interchangeable parts with different tactile feedback—clicks, rolls, slides, and gears. This allows users to customize the stimulation to match their needs, helping them maintain an 'optimal arousal' state for longer. 




An Honest Answer to the Obvious Concern

I will not tell you this product is a magic bullet. It cannot cure recklessness.

If you approach this as a complex toy that requires your conscious attention, then yes, it could be dangerous. But that is not what it’s designed to be.

The Fidget Steer Grip is an assistive tool, engineered to replace existing, unsafe self-regulation behaviors with a safer alternative. The principle is the same as chewing gum to stay awake or tapping your foot to ease anxiety—actions that help regulate the brain without compromising the primary task.



We started by admitting a simple truth: humans aren't perfect. Our mission was to provide a better option, so that our imperfections don't lead to tragic consequences. That is the sincere purpose built into every Fidget Steer Grip.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Sincerely,

HJ LEE
Creator of the Fidget Steer Grip

Location: 301 Market Ave, Richmond, CA 94801

Check out the post our readers couldn’t stop clicking!

Part 1: Why “Just Focus” Isn’t Enough — Rethinking Driving for ADHD & Anxiety

Image
Focus Behind the Wheel: Insights from KIMYO WORKS for Neurodiverse Drivers “Just keep your hands on the wheel.” “Relax and concentrate.” “You’re overthinking it.” If you’ve heard these phrases before, you’re not alone. For neurotypical drivers, they might sound like helpful reminders. But for those living with ADHD or driving-related anxiety, they can feel more like dismissals than solutions. Let’s be honest: focus isn’t a choice—it’s a challenge. And when the road demands your full attention, but your brain is wired for stimulation, tension builds fast. 🧠 The Problem: A System Not Built for Neurodiverse Minds Modern driving environments are designed with assumptions—assumptions that all drivers process information the same way, regulate emotions similarly, and respond predictably under stress. But ADHD drivers often experience: Sensory overload from traffic, noise, and visual clutter Motor restlessness , leading to fidgeting or hand movement Executive function fatigue , making susta...
Read more

Part 2: Calm at Your Fingertips — How a Fidget Device Can Help Drivers with ADHD and Anxiety

Image
In Part 1, we explored why “just focus” isn’t enough for neurodivergent drivers. Now let’s dive into how tactile stimulation can actually support emotional regulation and sustained attention behind the wheel. 🧠 Why Touch Matters Sensory Grounding Tactile input from the fingertips provides continuous physical feedback to the brain, anchoring attention in the present moment. Nervous System Regulation Touch activates the parasympathetic nervous system (calming) and suppresses the sympathetic system (stress response), helping reduce anxiety. Redirecting Motor Energy Instead of suppressing restless hand movements, tactile devices channel them into intentional, controlled actions that promote self-regulation.
Read more