Nissan cars to push back when drivers floor it
Nissan’s revealed plans to install what it’s calling the “ECO Pedal” system in models next year. The technology makes the gas pedal press upward when it senses motorists are speeding up too quickly. Although Nissan says the system can help drivers improve fuel efficiency 5 to 10 percent, we say it’s the ultimate nanny technology that should never see life.
The “ECO Pedal” calculates the most efficient rate of acceleration in a vehicle based on how fast fuel is being burned combined with other factors. The system causes the gas pedal to push back to alert overzealous drivers when it deems you’re pushing the pedal too fast.
The pedal technology is Nissan’s newest addition to the vehicle technology tine of their three-pronged approach to reducing carbon dioxide emissions: improvements in vehicle technologies, driving behaviour and traffic conditions. We liked the last idea of equipping all new cars with a fuel consumption indicator, which indicates the optimal level for fuel-efficient driving by displaying a green, flashing or amber light.
Jim’s Rant!
This is completely stupid and I hope it dies out before ever coming to the street! What happens when somebody needs to accelerate but can’t and a collision happens from either their stupidity or somebody else?
Comment by Anonymous on 4 August 2008:
There will be a way around it. Why even try.
Comment by Jim on 4 August 2008:
there is a way to turn it off but it shouldn’t be there in the first place
Comment by 1badgmc on 4 August 2008:
“What happens when somebody needs to accelerate but can’t and a collision happens from either their stupidity or somebody else?”
That’s the first thing that came to my mind. I can’t count how many times I’ve avoided an accident by nailing it and getting out of the way of whatever. It seems a bit odd from Nissan, too, seeing as how Nissan has more or less shown themselves to be the “sporting” manufacturer of the big 3 Japanese makes.
Comment by Anonymous on 4 August 2008:
I can see the law suits already.
Comment by Jax Rhapsody on 4 August 2008:
This is retarded. I think we will be able to chock this up with other automotive failures.
Comment by Anonymous on 13 August 2008:
i dont think it will stop you from pushing the pedal, but just give feed back like when the abs locks up you get that pulse feeling. it says its a reminder to alert the driver they are accelerating to fast and wasting fuel.
Comment by Anonymous on 15 August 2008:
I drove a ryder truck that had something like that once. When you got to 67-68 mph the pedal started coming back up… Was a real drag when you’re trying to pass a semi on the interstate.