Honda will include a new green gadget in their 2009 spring Insight hybrid series. The device, the Ecological Drive Assist System (EDAS), assesses a driver's eco-performance and provides providing useful feedback that can help them drive in a more environmentally friendly manner.

EDAS provides feedback in three ways: 1) ECON Mode, 2) a guidance function, and 3) a scoring function. In ECON Mode, drivers hit a button to drive in a more fuel-efficient and environmentally sensitive way. ECON Mode helps control driving conditions by monitoring and adjusting, as appropriate, the vehicle’s shifting and braking patterns. Stopping, accelerating and idling conditions are controlled, power is generated from braking (similar to current hybrids), and energy is saved by controlling the vehicle's air conditioning system.

The guidance function provides immediate feedback to drivers when they aren't in ECON Mode. In a simple, color-coded dashboard display, drivers see a range of green and blue shading. Green gets them brownie points (or, rather, greenie points) for driving in a fuel-efficient manner. Blue signifies that their driving is less than earth friendly. Blue alerts drivers to adjust their behavior, for instance by slowing down to a more fuel-efficient range.

The scoring function is another dashboard display. It provides drivers fuel-efficiency feedback on both their most recent trip and the total vehicle miles traveled.

In addition, an optional EDAS feature for Japan-based vehicles, the HDD InterNaviSystem, advises drivers on how to improve their fuel-efficiency based on the cumulative data collected over the course of the vehicle’s miles traveled and sent to the InterNaviSystem Internet data storage site. (The InterNaviSystem is a driver support system found on other Honda models). Drivers log on to their account and get personalized driving advice. It's a valuable feature in that it provides drivers with concrete, customized actions for improving fuel-efficiency. Who knows, maybe Honda will consider special-ordering this feature for American-based vehicles!

We learn best from direct and immediate feedback.This is the principle behind EDAS.  Dan Bonawitz, an American Honda Motor Co spokesman, said, "The visual nature of Eco Assist is intended to help drivers improve their efficient driving skills by making the hybrid experience more fun and rewarding."

Real-time dashboards are the next wave in helping people be more green. Honda is taking the lead in applying advanced versions of this concept to the portable habitat we call the car.