Abstract:
An electrostatic steering wheel hold detection device (1) includes: a first heater element (13) that is located in a steering wheel (3), and has one end electrically connected to a power source (11); an inductor (15) that is electrically connected to an other end of the first heater element (13); a second heater element (17) that is included in the steering wheel (3), and has one end electrically connected to the other end of the first heater element (13) via the inductor (15); and a sensor circuit (21) that is electrically connected to a connection point (19) between the first heater element (13) and the inductor (15), and detects, from a change in capacitance at the connection point, whether or not the steering wheel (3) is held. An other end of the second heater element (17) is electrically connected to a ground (23). The second heater element (17) is located lower than the first heater element (13) in the steering wheel (3) when the steering wheel (3) is in a neutral position.