Asetek <b>Racing</b> has created a 'virtual' button box within its wheel displays | Traxion

Asetek Racing has announced (and released, 18th August) what it calls the Virtual Button Box, using the built-in touchscreen on two of its sim racing wheels to change settings.

Traditionally, many sim racers would mount a dedicated (physical) button box to their rig, for quick access to various sim settings, or repurpose devices such as a Stream Deck.

According to Asetek, with a firmware update for its screen-equipped Forte Formula Pro and Invicta Formula Pro steering wheels, the Virtual Button Box can be used “for pit calls, voice chat, streaming scenes or anything else.”

This feature is set up initially via the RaceHub Version 4.5 software (with custom button labels), and then activated by swiping on the centre wheel screen. This overlay then fades out once inactive, returning to sim telemetry.