TOKYO — Nissan has announced two new technologies to help drivers turn more smoothly and safely. The Navigation-Cooperative Intelligent Pedal helps make deceleration into turns smoother, and Distance Control Assist controls vehicle behavior in turns by using the car's navigation system. The combined "driving assist system" will be rolled out on the Nissan Fuga, which goes on sale in Japan this fall.
The Distance Control Assist/Navigation-Cooperative Intelligent Pedal works by using map information from the car's navigation system to spot curves coming up ahead. The system raises the accelerator pedal to help the driver release it, then activates the brakes to reduce vehicle speed smoothly. Nissan calls it the first system that uses navigation, accelerator, powertrain and brakes with the intention of "reducing the driver's workload on curvy roads."
Active Stability Assist synchronizes brake, steering and engine response to help a driver get "full driving enjoyment on winding mountain roads or freeways," Nissan said. It analyzes the driver's steering, acceleration and braking patterns and individually controls braking and torque at each wheel to optimize vehicle response.
The Fuga, equivalent to the U.S. Infiniti M, is a luxury sedan for the Japan domestic market. No word on future plans for the curve technology on other models or markets.
Inside Line says: Pretty soon cars will be driving themselves at this rate.
source: edmunds
