• On The Insider: Britney's Bikini-Clad Top 10
August 7, 2007 6:30 AM PDT

Nissan brakes for you

by Candace Lombardi
  • Font size
  • Print
  • 12 comments
Nissan's SULEV concept car

Nissan's SULEV concept car

(Credit: Nissan)

A new automated emergency-braking feature will be in U.S. Nissan cars by next year, the company said Tuesday.

The feature works in tandem with the gas pedal to help drivers avoid a crash.

When speed and distance sensors on the car detect an imminent crash, the gas pedal lifts slightly to warn the driver. If the driver eases pressure on the gas pedal in response, the car automatically brakes instead of waiting until the driver slams a foot on the brake pedal, according to a report from the Associated Press.

But the driver still has ultimate control over the vehicle at all times, and can choose to keep the gas pedal depressed and maintain speed even after the warning.

Plan on seeing the new safety feature implemented in Nissan cars sold in Japan this year and in cars sold in the U.S. next year.

The news follows Nissan's Monday announcement that it is investing in cleaner diesel engine technology that could meet California's standard for super-ultra-low emission vehicles (SULEVs), as well as new DUI-prevention features.

Originally posted at News Blog
In a software-driven world, it's easy to forget about the nuts and bolts. Whether it's cars, robots, personal gadgetry or industrial machines, Candace Lombardi examines the moving parts that keep our world rotating. A journalist who divides her time between the United States and the United Kingdom, Lombardi has written about technology for the sites of The New York Times, CNET, USA Today, MSN, ZDNet, Silicon.com, and GameSpot. E-mail her at candacelombardi@gmail.com. She is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not a current employee of CNET.
Recent posts from Crave
Barnes & Noble Nook to hit stores later than expected
Searching for Cyber Monday laptop deals
Get a Brother HL-2140 laser printer for $49.98 shipped
iPhone officially lands in South Korea
How can Dell Netbook be 'perfect for tweeting'?
Investor forecasts show Psystar is crazy
Gameloft's iPhone games on sale for 99 cents
AT&T has refurbished 16GB iPhone 3Gs for $49
Add a Comment (Log in or register) (12 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
Nissan thinks women are more apt?
by kingstx August 7, 2007 7:48 AM PDT
Why is this article in the Feminine? Surely either c|net - or Nissan has a bias.
Reply to this comment
Quit whining...
by ibaniski August 7, 2007 8:02 AM PDT
I am sure if the article used "he" instead of "she" you would have said that it implies that men are the ones who drive (i.e. it implies that women don't/shouldn't drive).

c|net just reported a news, and your comment is totally useless.
It's the writer of the article...
by rhomboid1 August 7, 2007 8:22 AM PDT
The writer of the article has chosen to gear it(the article) towards the "Feminine" or women readers. Not the best move on the writers part, but I think she is trying to make a point to/about the patriarchal system of writing...geared towards men. Most articles written by man, and some women have phrases like "He did this" and "Should he want to", or "His car...". In my opinion, all articles and writings should incorporate both genders, i.e., HE/SHE, HER/HIS, to be fare and non-bias.

Cheers!
Mommy-izing the driving experience...
by steves10 August 7, 2007 8:47 AM PDT
Yeah, Nissan, please do EVERYTHING for me, but thanks ever so much for allowing me to retain control, if I really must.

This will result in more accidents, and in less able drivers. Let the terminally stupid and hopelessly inept klutzes of the world have Mommy-Nissan drive their cars for them. Never mind driver training, just get your anti-lock, collision avoidance equipped Nissan to obviate the need for any skill or attention to what your doing.

Great.
Reply to this comment
Just how good are your reflexes?
by sbwinn August 7, 2007 9:39 AM PDT
A computer and a good sensor array can respond in milliseconds.
By comparison, it takes eons just to get your foot off the gas pedal
and onto the brake.

You may not like it, but someday in the not too distant future a
computer will drive your car better than you do.
exactly
by Dalkorian August 7, 2007 10:18 AM PDT
Steves10 posted this thought:

"Never mind driver training, just get your anti-lock, collision
avoidance equipped Nissan to obviate the need for any skill or
attention to what your doing"

Exactly. This kind of technology will just allow the idiots of the
world to keep chatting on the phone, applying makeup,
munching on chips and text messaging their loser friends, all
while moving in a 3,000 lb missle cruising at 70 MPH. And WHEN
they cause a big accident (note I didn't say IF, I said WHEN), they
can turn around and sue Nissan for not avoiding the crash for
them.

I truly hope this car does NOT make it to the world. We have
enough problems accepting responsibility for our actions
already.
View reply
Wrong audience
by alainassaf August 7, 2007 9:01 AM PDT
This technology is pointed squarely at our aging Baby Boomer population.
Reply to this comment
Push back
by danielz40 August 7, 2007 9:43 AM PDT
I hope they did a lot of testing on this. To me, when something pushes, I push back. I always thought that a natural reaction. If I'm pushing on a pedal and it pushes me, I'm pushing back. Even if I don't want to go faster.
I wish drivers would just learn to drive, pay attention, and learn to stop the car on their own.
Reply to this comment
Touché
by rhomboid1 August 7, 2007 10:58 AM PDT
Touché
text messaging lockout
by bobcode August 7, 2007 12:20 PM PDT
At least they don't have text messaging lockout/blocking.
Reply to this comment
Grammar
by mrbroncosfan November 26, 2007 12:15 PM PST
HE/SHE, etc is grammatically incorrect, fyi.
Reply to this comment
(12 Comments)
  • prev
  • 1
  • next
advertisement

About Crave

The name says it all. Crave is our blog about gorgeous gadgets and other crushworthy stuff. If you would like to contact Crave with a tip or comment, please write to: crave@cnet.com

Add this feed to your online news reader

Crave topics

The browser battles go on and on

roundup From Firefox to IE and from Chrome to Opera and Safari, there's no sitting still for browser makers looking to keep their products fresh and competitive.

3G wireless still holds promise

The next generation of 4G wireless may get all the headlines, but advanced 3G technology will likely dominate services for the next few years.