Car makers Nissan has announced the Eco Pedal, a computer controlled accelerator pedal which will indicate to the driver if they’re using more fuel than required at that time. The system works by monitoring live consumption and transmission efficiency and then calculates the optimum acceleration rate. Drivers will also receive a visual clue from a green light embedded in their speedometer. If you start driving sloppily the accelerator pedal will push back to indicate that you’re being naughty. Golly, the start of the nanny vehicle. Bring it on eh?
The ECO Pedal system is fed data on the rate of fuel consumption and transmission efficiency during acceleration and cruising, and then calculates the optimum acceleration rate. When the driver exerts excess pressure on the accelerator, the system counteracts with the pedal push-back control mechanism. At the same time, the eco-driving indicator incorporated on the instrument panel indicates the optimal level for fuel-efficient driving. Driving within the optimal fuel consumption range, the indicator is green. It begins to flash when it detects increased acceleration before reaching the fuel consumption threshold and finally turns amber to advise the driver of their driving behavior.