Automotive
Bosch’s new active gas pedal uses haptic signaling, a completely new kind of interaction between vehicle and driver. It is based on innovative data connection technology that continuously provides vehicles with information from a variety of sources. Signals are delivered to drivers, allowing them to intuitively correct their driving behavior.
Most drivers are well aware that hitting the gas pedal too hard hurts their car's fuel efficiency, but many continue to do it, anyway. In order to try to help drivers drop this fuel-wasting habit, automotive parts manufacturer Bosch has developed an intelligent gas pedal that deters drivers from hard acceleration.
But, in addition to saving fuel, Bosch claims that its solution can help improve driver safety and enhance the overall driving experience.
Up to 7% Improvement in Fuel Economy
Bosch's “Active Gas Pedal” can help reduce a car's fuel consumption by up to 7%, the company states. This is thanks to an intelligent solution based on haptic feedback.The pedal is connected to a car's driver assistance systems, powertrain, and navigation, as well as to the cloud, in order to retrieve information related to the car's movement and speed, along with information from other vehicles.
When it detects that the driver is pressing the accelerator too hard, the smart pedal alerts the driver by vibrating. This warning is meant to remind the driver to ease off the gas pedal and slow down, resulting in reduced fuel consumption.
Signals for Ideal Time to Change Gear
On top of reminding drivers that they need to slow down, the pedal can help them determine when it's the ideal time to change gears, which helps save fuel even further. The pedal detects when a car reaches the optimum RPM for shifting gears, and it starts knocking on the driver’s foot, to alert them that it's time to switch gears, which seems pretty convenient.Finally, the smart gas pedal can be of great help to those who drive a hybrid equipped with a start-stop coasting feature. The pedal can detect when it's a good time to activate the car's start-stop coasting function, and applies counter-pressure to the driver's foot to let them know that they can take their foot of the pedal, which will stop the engine and allow the system to maintain a stable traveling speed, cutting emissions and fuel consumption in the process.
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According to Bosch, internal combustion engines don't need to run about 30% of each trip, so this solution that helps drivers use the start-stop coasting function can lead to significant fuel savings.
Preventing Accidents and Speeding
As if all of the above-mentioned functions are not enough, Bosch says that its active pedal can help drivers avoid collisions. Since the pedal is connected to the cloud, and a car's navigation system, it can receive information that help it assess road conditions at any given moment, and detect potential safety hazards.For instance, it can detect speeding vehicles, traffic jams ahead of the car, cars moving in the wrong direction, and alert the driver through an additional vibration, so that the driver can have enough time to react and avoid a collision.
Finally, the active gas pedal can be connected to an on-board camera that recognizes speed-limit signs, so that it can warn a driver if it detects that the car is speeding.
Bosch says that the smart pedal can be integrated into existing vehicles, as well as new vehicles, but the company hasn't said when it will go into production.
| By Jordan Perch | Embed |
Author Bio - Jordan Perch is an automotive fanatic and “safe driving” specialist. He is a writer for DMV.com, which is a collaborative community designed to help ease the stress and annoyance of “dealing with the DMV.”
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