Abstract: A manual control assembly includes a multi-modal control mechanism. The manual control assembly further includes a connection socket for housing the multi-modal control mechanism on a steering controller of a vehicle, wherein an interface of the connection socket is connected to a control system for the vehicle. The manual control assembly further includes a first sensor and a second sensor for detecting actuation of the multi-modal control mechanism, wherein the first sensor is positioned orthogonal to the second sensor to detect a force applied to the multi-modal control mechanism. The manual control assembly further includes a control module for generating, based on the actuation, input signals to be transmitted to the control system to control one or more components of the vehicle.