Volkswagen has recently announced the introduction of a system it calls "steering impulse", a system which helps drivers to take appropriate action in certain stopping situations where counter steering is necessary.
The premise is simple.
Sometimes, a driver needs to quickly stop in less than ideal conditions- and fall driving is full of them.
Imagine stopping with half your vehicle on dry pavement, and the other on slippery, wet leaves. Traditionally, the stopping power would be metered out against the grip held by the wheel with the least grip in order to avoid the car leaving its line because of the varying traction.
Full braking power would tend to rotate the vehicle in the direction of the tires with the most traction, and the ESP system would work to prevent this. But, if the driver were to counter steer appropriately in this specific sort of situation, stopping distances could be reduced by up to 10 percent.
Of course, some drivers may not remember to counter steer, until now. Volkswagens new system, using the ESP to do the "thinking", sends a signal to the driver to steer in a certain direction through the steering wheel. In effect, given a very specific situation, the steering wheel tugs slightly, encouraging the driver to take appropriate action.
Electromechanical power steering makes this possible, and the driver still remains in total control.
The tug on the wheel is a suggestion only, and it cannot take control of the car.
The premise is simple.
Sometimes, a driver needs to quickly stop in less than ideal conditions- and fall driving is full of them.
Imagine stopping with half your vehicle on dry pavement, and the other on slippery, wet leaves. Traditionally, the stopping power would be metered out against the grip held by the wheel with the least grip in order to avoid the car leaving its line because of the varying traction.
Full braking power would tend to rotate the vehicle in the direction of the tires with the most traction, and the ESP system would work to prevent this. But, if the driver were to counter steer appropriately in this specific sort of situation, stopping distances could be reduced by up to 10 percent.
Of course, some drivers may not remember to counter steer, until now. Volkswagens new system, using the ESP to do the "thinking", sends a signal to the driver to steer in a certain direction through the steering wheel. In effect, given a very specific situation, the steering wheel tugs slightly, encouraging the driver to take appropriate action.
Electromechanical power steering makes this possible, and the driver still remains in total control.
The tug on the wheel is a suggestion only, and it cannot take control of the car.