Ongoing growth exhibited by the automobile sector and the increasing emphasis given to boost the performance of vehicles are driving various developments in the automotive sector. Apart from the overall performance of the vehicle, speed is emerging as a crucial factor that is considered by consumers while making purchase decisions. Aligned with this, automobile companies are innovating in the design and functionality of vehicles to remain at par with the market requirements.
Amongst the various aspects in focus of automakers, there is an increasing focus on improving automotive brake systems. With the massive pace attained by modern cars, achieving effective deceleration is equally significant. Key advancements in automotive brake systems enable efficient vehicle deceleration. The incorporation of technologies such as brake-by-wire technology allows automotive manufacturers to deliver superior braking and deceleration performance to its customers. Furthermore, the increasing transition of electric and hybrid vehicles witnessed worldwide is further fueling the adoption of brake-by-wire technology.
Automotive Braking System of the Future
Going beyond the conventional brake system, the brake-by-wire technology is disrupting the capabilities of vehicles as drivers are able to gain control over the braking system of their cars. As a result of this, automakers are likely to embrace the brake-by-wire technology for their future cars on a large scale.
Audi, a leading automotive manufacturer adopted the brake-by-wire technology in its new E-tron which is claimed to be the first fully electric vehicle to include this technology. Making further improvements, the brake-by-wire system has advanced capabilities that make it a next-gen brake-by-wire system. Beyond the conventionally used brake-by-wire systems that utilize brake calipers controlled electronically in place of hydraulic pressure, Audi’s system is electrohydraulic. The system requires no mechanical link between pad and pedal and the actuator on the functioning end of the brake remains hydraulic. The actuator is controlled by the computer as a response to the pressure laid on the pedal by the driver.
Companies operating in the automotive industry are upgrading their market offerings with enhanced auto components and parts. The increasing demand for performance improvements of the lucrative electric and hybrid vehicles segment is further spurring the incorporation of brake-by-wire systems. Volvo Cars recently unveiled the progress towards its electrification goal with the upgrades to its plug-in hybrid vehicle models and introduction of the mild hybrid version. The upgraded variant of the smaller capacity twin-engine plug-in hybrid is combined with a novel battery and brake-by-wire technology. Moreover, the brake-by-wire system in their new mild hybrid vehicles would interact with the energy recovery system equipped in the cars and recover kinetic energy under braking, thereby minimizing fuel consumption and emission.
BMW, a leading name in the automotive world has also shifted focus towards the development of electronic brake-by-wire braking systems. The development of a brake-by-wire system represents a significant milestone for Formula E, upscaling it to the level attained by LMP1 and Formula 1 in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Furthermore, the integration of the brake-by-wire system and the software logic designed by the engineers of BMW i Motorsport increasing the regeneration potential significantly.
Requirements for Effective Deceleration to Strengthen Production Landscape
Companies providing brake-by-wire systems to automakers are likely to benefit from the overwhelming opportunities reflected by the landscape. The manufacturing of brake-by-wire systems is witnessing an upward growth against the backdrop of the increasing demand.
Brembo Group, a leading provider of automotive disc brake technology recently reaffirmed its market position with continual innovations in the brake-by-wire braking system. The Group introduced the latest version of these systems which has successfully attained the performance at par with the vehicles equipped with traditional systems.