Drive-by-wire braking technology could find a home on hybrid vehicles

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Drive-by-wire braking technology could find a home on hybrid vehicles



GREG MIGLIORE | Automotive News
Posted Date: 10/28/05
DETROIT - An emerging braking technology could find a home on increasingly popular hybrid vehicles.

By-wire technology uses sensors to translate driver functions to electronic signals and sends them to a unit that converts the signals into movements.

Because the technology is centered on electronic signals instead of hydraulics, it could be particularly useful on hybrid powertrain vehicles, which use gasoline and electricity, says Steve Brown, director of North America programs for SKF Automotive Division.

SKF Automotive, the North American unit of SKF Automotive, of Goteborg, Sweden, displayed its latest by-wire technologies during a media event this month at its Plymouth, Mich., headquarters.

Brown speculated that hybrids, which recharge their batteries when the driver taps the brakes, would benefit from a by-wire system. He says that type of brake system would offer better regeneration of the vehicle's battery than a conventional hydraulic system because it is electronic. But Brown said he doesn't see it in production until at least 2010.

Richard Gerth, research scientist in the manufacturing, engine and technology group at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Mich., predicts by-wire technology will be available in mainstream vehicles with sticker prices of $25,000 or less in five to 10 years.

Gerth says hybrid powertrains offer advantages consumers understand, such as potentially better mileage. He questions whether consumers will understand the increased capabilities of by-wire systems because of technical nature of the product.

"I don't see it in the near future," he says. "I don't see it as being a customer-pull type of item."

SKF has been involved with by-wire technology for 20 years and helped develop commercial fly-by-wire systems for Airbus SAS.

Other suppliers that have used by-wire technology include Delphi Corp., Continental Teves, Robert Bosch GmbH and Siemens VDO Automotive, as well as Toyota Motor Corp.



source:http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103452
 
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