A system for providing an electrical steering assist for a materials handling vehicle includes a drive housing; a steerable wheel coupled to the drive housing; a steering arm pivotally mounted to the drive housing; a steer drive unit coupled to the steerable wheel; an input sensing device; and a controller. The steering arm is operatively configured to determine a steering direction of the steerable wheel. The input sensing device is arranged to detect a turning force applied to the steering arm by an operator, wherein the turning force is provided to change the angle of travel of the vehicle. The input sensing device includes a strain measuring assembly defining a strain sensitive region between the steering arm and the steer drive unit. The controller is operatively configured to control the steer drive unit to turn the steerable wheel based upon a signal from the input sensing device.