A system, apparatus, and method for providing a soft-start for a toy
vehicle configured to be operated by a person. The method includes
receiving a throttle signal operable to induce motion via a motor
operating as a drive mechanism of the toy vehicle. A transition signal
may be generated based on the throttle signal. The transition signal may
be applied to effect operation of the motor. The transition signal may be
a pulse width modulated signal having a duty cycle between 20 and 100
percent to provide for an acceleration that avoids the problems of
conventional control systems. The transition signal may be ramped in a
linear or non-linear fashion. The system may couple the soft-start
control circuit between a ground terminal of a battery of the toy vehicle
and motor(s), thereby allowing the soft-start control circuit to operate
on a low voltage (i.e., not the high voltage of the battery).