Gerlingen, Germany - A prototype smart accelerator pedal from component maker Bosch is designed to help drivers save on fuel bills and also lower the risk of accidents.
The “active gas pedal”, which can be linked to a car's driving assistant and navigation system, can warn against driving too fast or tell a driver that the tail of a traffic jam is around the next bend.
To communicate, it uses tactile signals of various strengths. Bosch said the driver feels a light knocking sensation at the pedal or else vibration and counter-pressure, depending on the style of driving and the nature of the hazard ahead.
Stefan Seiberth, head of petrol systems at Bosch, said: “The pedal signals the best dose of acceleration to optimise fuel-saving.”
A driver who accelerates beyond the guideline will feel counter-pressure from the pedal, encouraging him to ease back.
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When coupled to a navigation system using real-time traffic data, the pedal could also warn drivers of impending congestion or an accident site ahead, said Seiberth.
The active gas pedal is still in the development stage with no firm production date scheduled.
Many existing premium cars have gearshift indicator lights which show the driver when to change up or down for the best economy, but these are recommendations only.
Tests showed a fuel saving of seven percent using the active gas pedal, said Seiberth adding that the signals help drivers to respond intuitively.
“The focus is always on increasing safety, fuel economy and driving enjoyment,” he said.