Electrification and automation demand new brake tech

As Continental’s strategy shows, electrification of components will lead to the entire braking apparatus being gradually overhauled, including handbraking systems. By Xavier Boucherat

Along with service brakes on the front and rear axles of vehicles, parking brakes have played an essential role in vehicle safety. Now, conventional handbrakes (also referred to as emergency brakes) are set to disappear. Electric Parking Brakes (EPB) are already a common feature in many models. EPB provides clear safety benefits, including automatic activation and additional features such as slip control during emergency braking in cases where service brakes on the wheels fail.

Moving forward, another important advantage of EPB is the space it frees up in the cabin, which could prove invaluable as OEMs rush to integrate more functionality into vehicles, such as wireless charging docks and infotainment options. “Further development of the parking brake opens up new possibilities for interior design,” says Karl-Friedrich Woersdoerfer, Vice President of Product Development at Continental’s Hydraulic Brake Systems business unit.