Adaptive collapsible steering column

An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

• a first steering column part;
• a second steering column part;
• supporting structure supporting said first steering column part and the vehicle steering wheel for movement relative to said second steering column part along an axis;
• an energy absorbing device interposed between said first steering column part and said second steering column part for resisting movement of said first part relative to said second part, said energy absorbing device comprising a fluid having a shear strength which varies in response to an energy field acting on said fluid;
• and
• means for varying the shear strength of said fluid by varying said energy field to vary the resistance to movement of said first steering column part relative to said second steering column part,
• wherein said energy absorbing device comprises a shear bolt containing said fluid, and wherein said means for varying the shear strength of said fluid comprises a coil extending around said shear bolt and generating said energy field acting on said fluid, and a controller for controlling flow of electric current through said coil to vary said energy field.