Don't suppose a liner actuator would fit the overall approach in that it would need a power source. Yet perhaps some sort of ball screw arrangement to control the spring release. I tend to get overly complicated. I guess I see the pedal with a rack or gear quadrant turning the screw. Just a random mental emission ( RME ) a bit like a worm gear will only turn with input from the worm in some cases. Hope I'm not diving down the wrong rabbit hole.
Eric