Brembo Expects A Shift Towards Electrified Braking Systems

Brembo believes the electrification of consumer vehicles will result in a dramatic increase in demand for brake-by-wire systems.

Unlike traditional hydraulic braking systems, brake-by-wire setups are used by virtually all hybrid and electric vehicles currently on the market. Like electric steering, they allow carmakers to tailor feel and responsiveness depending on driver preference and vehicle settings.

Speaking to Car and Driver about the electrification of brakes, Brembo’s executive director for braking systems, Giovanni Canavotto, said demand for these systems is increasing.

“Electrified braking systems will become a strong trend over the next decade. Brake-by-wire systems really give us and carmakers flexibility with tuning.

“We have used them in Formula 1 for years. In future cars, they can be tailored to the driver and create a soft or firm feel, shorter or longer pedal travel, much like the driving modes for the suspension and steering right now.

“Most of the carmakers are expressing a desire to electrify the entire vehicle, even apart from the powertrain. Brake-by-wire doesn’t depend on an electric motor [in the drivetrain], and we don’t even need a 48-volt system,” Canavotto stated.

The brake manufacturer eventually sees a slow conversion from hydraulic brakes to brake-by-wire systems. According to Canavotto, it will be like the shift from drum to disc brakes. They aren’t quite there right now, though.

“We will need to work on the algorithms, as electric systems tend to display an on/off characteristic. There will be a lot of work on the feel. But there are great advantages: Electric signals are more manageable than hydraulic ones, and by-wire systems will simplify vehicle architectures,” Brembo’s exec said.