Gear

Electronic Brake Cuts Stopping Distance

Siemens VDO took its Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) to the top of the world to see how much the technology could improve braking. The company says EWB cut braking distance by approximately 15 percent over vehicles equipped with conventional hydraulic brakes on icy and snow roads in testing performed near the Arctic Circle. Siemens VDO […]

Siemens VDO took its Electronic Wedge Brake (EWB) to the top of the world to see how much the technology could improve braking. The company says EWB cut braking distance by approximately 15 percent over vehicles equipped with conventional hydraulic brakes on icy and snow roads in testing performed near the Arctic Circle.

Siemens_vdo_logo

Siemens VDO says its braking system required 211 feet to stop a vehicle traveling at 50 miles per hour, or 35 feet less than a vehicle with ABS and winter tires.

Here's how EWB works, according to the company:

*During braking, an electric motor presses a wedge connected to a brake pad located between the brake caliper and the brake disk. The resulting friction of the wheel's rotation automatically strengthens the wedge effect, causing a very strong braking force to be produced with very little energy. *

The company says the "by-wire" brake module could go into production by 2010. I'd like to see how much this benefits vehicles in dry conditions as well, and what is the expected premium. More to come on this soon...