Nissan’s Eco Pedal should increase fuel economy on the models destined for the new technology, either because of the ingeniousness of the concept or the sheer embarrassment of having a gas pedal control our right foot.
Introduced at the beginning of August 2008, the Eco Pedal was just one component in a Nissan test model packed with safety-focused sensor technology, adding to a long list of machines smarter than their operators.
Nissan’s eco-pedal system explained.
Based on a computer program that measures and determines an “optimum fuel efficiency zone” (mostly this is determined by how fast fuel is being consumed), the Eco Pedal system activates a counter “push-back” mechanism when it senses fuel consumption rising. The push-back mechanism provides pressure against the driver’s foot, discouraging them from accelerating too hard or too quickly in order to maximize fuel economy.
In other words, the driver pushes too hard on the throttle and the spunky little pedal pushes back.
If acceleration, either from a stop or on re-acceleration, doesn’t turn into a driver vs. auto grudge match, the technology should result in a 5- to 10-percent fuel savings and a little more distance between fill-ups.
To reinforce the behavior modification the Eco-Pedal tacitly implies, the system also includes a dash-mounted Eco-indicator that turns bright green whenever the driver is in the optimal fuel economy zone. When the system senses excess acceleration, the light flashes and turns amber. In addition, a dash-mounted, real-time fuel consumption display provides a running account of gas mileage. Between the two systems, drivers can monitor their own fuel efficiency, and backseat drivers everywhere have a new nit to pick.
The technology should be available on some 2009 models, the Altima being the primary candidate. If you’re considering an 09 Altima and you’re not sure about the Eco-Pedal, the good news is that the system can be switched off.
Nissan’s collision-avoiding prototype, in addition to offering the Eco-Pedal system, also includes sensors in the back and side that activate alarms as well as the brakes to avoid accidents. This technology helps the driver maintain a safe distance from the vehicles in front, as well as preventing the vehicle from veering out of its lane.
The eco-pedal has lead us here at TundraHeadquarters.com to consider a couple of other devices. What about a stereo knob that gets harder to turn the louder it gets? Or an ignition switch that’s really hard for dumb people to turn? We’ll start working on them both…
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For the love of all things named Bob! If I push my gas pedal and it argues with me, so help me Jebuz, I will beat that e-punk into submission with a 10 Lb Sledge.
Here’s an Idea: Let’s invent a car that only does what IT wants. It will drive itself. Fuel itself, and never do anything dangerous like get us to work on time or take us on vacation. We could call it the Chevy Crap, or the Ford HateYou, or even the Dodge Dodge or For Chrysler Sake. It could be made by Daiwoo.
I like the idea of a light that lets me know when I am not driving in a fuel efficent manner. I also want a button on top the dash that says “Shut Up”. It could also be linked to the seat belt chime.