Drive-By-Wire...

My first car had a steering wheel that was directly connected to universal joints that linked to the wheels. By the third car, I was driving rack and pinion for the steering system. That connected the steering wheel to a set of gears that controlled the wheels. Maybe my fourth or fifth car had power steering... a hydraulic pump that supported the steering system making it easier to turn the steering wheel, especially if you were trying to parallel park.

My current car doesn't have conventional power steering. Instead, the steering wheel connects to an electric actuator that simulates the hydraulic system. While it feels like you're turning the steering wheel connected to the tires... you're not.
It's a series of sensors, motors and actuators as an electro-mechanical system that replaces the linkages and hydraulic pump.

While we're at it. The gas pedal used to have a flexible cable that connected to the carburetor. When you pressed on the gas, it opened the throttle valve allowing gas and air into the engine. Yeah, it's gone now. The gas pedal has been changed over to a sensor with the feel of a conventional system. It now sends digital impulses to a computer that controls servos that open and close the fuel and air mixture.

Don't stop me now...
Brakes? The pedal that used to be directly linked to a hydraulic pump had been replaced and a sensor giving you the feel of brakes and it does this electronically.

For the most part, it's all been engineered to work similar to cars of yesteryear with fewer components.
Drawbacks are many. If you have a dead battery, pushing the car to get started, doesn't work. If you happen to turn off the key while driving... a word of warning... don't. There's a good chance steering could freeze making it impossible to navigate.