“Acceleration Suppression for Pedal Misapplication”

In Japan, over 7,000 accidents are caused by the pedal misapplication between the brake pedal and the gas pedal and over 10,000 people are killed every year. Over 60% of these accidents happen during parking operations in low speed. In order to as much as possible help protect drivers and pedestrians from these accidents caused by pedal misapplication, Nissan has put a new technology into practical use. This technology works to suppress the speed when the gas pedal is accidentally stepped on. With this technology, the vehicle may able to detect and help correct the error before the driver does so— thus, helping to mitigate accidents.

If the gas pedal is operated in a situation which the brake pedal should be used, the vehicle detects the error and engages the brake automatically. The “Acceleration Suppression for Pedal Misapplication” technology allows the vehicle system to detect location information and situations in order to help make an accurate judgement. This technology is based on Nissan’s distinct image processing technology used in the “Around View Monitor” and the parking sonar systems. The system detects whether there are any obstacles in front or rear of the vehicle, and can also detect if the vehicle is near a parking slot. If the system detects a parking slot, the acceleration is suppressed even if the gas pedal is excessively applied, and an audible alert and signal on the display help alert the driver. The brakes will be engaged automatically if the vehicle continues to near obstacles such as walls to help avoid a collision. This technology helps reduce the risk of accidents caused by pedal misapplication.

When the “Around View Monitor” detects a parking slot, the system starts to suppress acceleration even if the gas pedal is excessively applied. When the sonar detects obstacles (such as walls) within the path of the vehicle, the system engages the brake automatically to help avoid a collision.

Parking Slot Detection
The image processing technology of the “Around View Monitor” detects if the vehicle is going to enter into the parking slot.

Acceleration Suppression
In order to find out whether the driver’s operation of the gas pedal is appropriate or a mistake, the system detects the surrounding situation and input from the driver. If the system detects that the driver has made a mistake, the acceleration is suppressed.

Assist brake for collision avoidance
When the system detects obstacles such as walls within the vehicle’s path, the brake is engaged automatically to support collision avoidance.