With relentless advances in automotive technology, cars are now more powerful and faster than ever before. In this scenario, braking technology is also being advanced to keep up with upgrades in power and performance. OEMs and suppliers are working on a host of braking hardware, electronics/ software systems, which ensure that cars stop as hard as they go. Here, we will take a look at some of the most important developments in the area of automotive braking technology and understand future directions for this critical area in automotive R&D.
On-going Developments
Up until the time when the braking function in cars was purely mechanical, with no electronics/ software anywhere in the equation, the move from drum brakes to disc brakes was possibly the biggest advancement in automotive braking technology. Of course, while many budget cars still use drum brakes (especially for the rear wheels), these definitely can’t match the power, feel and precision of a well-sorted disc brake set-up. High-end cars feature large metal discs, gripped by four- or even six-piston callipers, while super cars are often offered with optional carbon/ ceramic discs that offer even more stopping power.
With the advent of electronic anti-lock braking systems (ABS) in the early-1970s, a technology that prevented wheels from ‘locking up’ under hard braking, stopping was never the same again. The 1971 Chrysler Imperial was the first production car with electronic ABS (which was developed by Bendix), and Mercedes-Benz started offering ABS on some of their cars from 1978 onwards, using a system produced by Bosch. The widespread adoption of ABS by automotive OEMs has been one of the most significant steps towards improved safety.
Going forward, ABS has been supplemented with various other electronic safety aids like electronic brake force distribution (EBD), electronic stability control (ESC) and traction control, all of which work in tandem towards improving vehicle stability under hard acceleration and/ or braking, even on wet and slippery surfaces.
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