Toyota is considering expanding the functions of a device installed in its vehicles to record data related to accidents to include the recording of sudden acceleration, sources familiar with the matter have said.
The move comes in the wake of the global recall of Toyota vehicles involving problems such as sudden unintended acceleration due to ‘sticky’ accelerator pedals or pedals getting stuck under loose floor mats.
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The event data recorder automatically registers the use of brakes and accelerator pedals as well as changes in an engine’s speed in the event of a crash.
Toyota is looking into the possibility of upgrading the recorders to register sudden acceleration as well, with an eye to shedding light on cases of unintended acceleration reported mostly in the United States, the sources told Kyodo News.
EDRs are normally used to facilitate investigations of traffic accidents by authorities, but Toyota has said it also plans to use them to ensure the quality of its vehicles.
As part of the plan, Toyota has decided to install 150 tools for reading EDR data at dealerships and other entities in the United States.
US authorities have said they will check the limited-data recorder fitted in a Prius involved in an unintended acceleration incident near San Diego, California, on Monday, according to media reports.
