Nissan Develops ECO pedal to push back against aggressive drivers

[Tourigjm]

Nissan ECO pedal promises to push back against aggressive drivers - Engadget

the pedal simply pushes back against the driver's foot when it detects wasteful acceleration, which Nissan says could improve fuel efficiency by as much as five to ten percent.

Sweet

[Arminius]

Dang, you beat me to it.

[MetroMPG]

This is the computer age version of the "double-spring" throttle. Years ago I drove a 280z (at least I think that's what it was) that had a relatively "soft" initial pedal, and a much firmer resistance in the lower pedal. There was a definite transition.

[ankit]

Originally Posted by Arminius

Dang, you beat me to it.

x2

I think it is kinda cool, but I feel that it just won't work out too well. There are just sometimes that you need to accelerate quickly in emergencies, and there wouldn't be enough time to engage a switch before stomping on the pedal. There would probably be a liability issue.




From another website....

I'm all for exploring new technologies that help us save gas, but I think Nissan has gone a little too far with their "Eco Pedal." This new technology calculates the most fuel efficient rate of acceleration and then fights back against the driver's foot when it feels that rate has been exceeded. Nissan claims that the system can improve fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent, which is why they plan on implementing it into their cars next year. As asinine and unsafe as all of this sounds, at least Nissan had the good sense to implement an on / off switch.

Suck On This Lead Foot: Nissan's Eco Gas Pedal Fights Back To Help You Save Gas

[mrmad]

What's next, the brake pedal that pushes back if you're braking too hard?

[MetroMPG]

Regarding the "assinine/unsafe" comments...

I have to believe the pedal will only make it marginally more difficult to push; it won't actually restrict normal pedal travel.

Let's not forget Nissan has lawyers who would likely have been consulted during the development...

[Arminius]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Regarding the "assinine/unsafe" comments...

I have to believe the pedal will only make it marginally more difficult to push; it won't actually restrict normal pedal travel.

Let's not forget Nissan has lawyers who would likely have been consulted during the development...

Yeah, that's what ultimately stopped my idea of electrified needles on the gas pedal.

[wagonman76]

I think it is a good idea, and eco-minded people will probably like it. But I dont see it pushing back against aggressive drivers. They will be the first ones to turn it off, or just buy a different vehicle.

[Red]

The pedal would be computerized. Most likely if the ECU saw a sudden change in TPS it wouldn't kick in the feed back.

Thats how I'd code it anyway.....

[mrmad]

I honestly think this will have about the same popularity as automatic seat belts did, which was one of the dumbest ideas to try to force people into being safe.

As other have stated, aggressive drivers will probably just turn it off or override it with their foot, if that's how it works. The driver is the one who has to want to save fuel and if he/she does, similar results could be had by putting an mpg guage on the dash.