Haptic car pedal cuts fuel and boosts safety

Pedal can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 7% and alert drivers of potentially dangerous driving situations, says Bosch

German engineering firm Bosch has developed a haptic accelerator pedal for cars which it says can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 7% and alert drivers of potentially dangerous driving situations. 

The pedal delivers a vibration to the driver’s foot when the car is speeding and when the driver has crossed the line from light touch to ‘lead’ foot. It can also be connected to the navigation system of the car, enabling it to warn drivers if, for example, they are approaching a sharp bend too fast.

In addition, the haptic accelerator pedal can be coupled with a camera that recognises speed-limit signs. If drivers exceed the speed limit, the pedal will warn them by vibrating or by exerting counter-pressure.

Bosch said extra fuel savings are possible when the pedal is used with stop-start coasting, and estimates that the engine could be stopped in this way on 30% of all journeys. The pedal can be set to give an alert when coasting mode is applicable. 

The pedal could also let drivers know when the combustion engine is about to take over from the electric motor in hybrid cars, so they can lighten the pressure on the pedal, said the company.

While Bosch would not reveal which car manufacturers are investing in the technology, it expects the pedal to be on the market in around two years, and to appear first in premium cars.