Delft University of Technology participated in a multi-university research project, initiated by Nissan Motor Company, on human-centred development of a future intelligent driver support system (IDSS).
The outcome of this was a haptic gas pedal interface that comfortably supports drivers in maintaining a safe distance from other cars.
The haptics gas pedal functions like a regular pedal in a car, except that it provides feedback to the driver. When the driver gets too close to another car, the pedal gives feedback by pressing back against the driver’s foot. The driver is still in control, and can choose to ignore this feedback, but the car aids in maintaining a safe distance.