Honda's New Color-Changing Ecological Drive Assist System

Honda's Ecological Drive Assist System or EDAS for short, may just give you a guilt trip if you have a lead foot. According to a press released by Honda in Japan the new system will provide a color-changing speedometer background that is used in the system's guidance function.

If the color behind the number is green, you're driving efficiently. Get a little sloppy, and a bit of blue appears. When you have the pedal to the metal expect the whole screen to turn blue. Furthermore, the EDAS can integrate into the optional Honda HDD InterNavi System which can provide advice on how to enhance your fuel economy based on current and past driving conditions and by specifically looking through a drivers history.

"Since driving practices have a large impact on fuel economy, Honda developed the Ecological Drive Assist System to further enhance the real-world fuel economy through controlling the CVT and engine based on the actual driving conditions and enabling the driver to learn how to drive more fuel-efficiently. In particular, the scoring function provides cumulative, long-term feedback through graphic 'leaves', which grow over time as drivers become more proficient in fuel-efficient driving. The joy of growing these leaves over a long time will encourage drivers to learn how to drive more fuel-efficiently." stated the press release.

Look for the new Honda Insight in spring of 2009 equipped with the EDAS.