The automotive industry is experiencing a century-long transformation: electrification and intelligence are reshaping the vehicle architecture and the chassis system is at the forefront of technological competition.
As a key component of the chassis, the braking system is not only the last line of defense for vehicle safety but also an essential actuator in the era of intelligent driving.
Braking Systems: From Mechanical to Intelligent
Over more than 100 years of automotive history, the development of braking systems has always been about “safer and more efficient”:
- Mechanical drum brakes: The mainstream of the early 20th century; simple in design but limited in performance.
- Hydraulic disc brakes: Replaced drums gradually, faster response and better heat resistance.
- ABS & ESC: Added electronic stability, upgrading braking from “can stop” to “can stay in control”.
- Electrification & Intelligence: EMB and EPB have been adopted recently, braking is now driven by both software and hardware.
This history shows braking systems are no longer just mechanical components but evolving into the “brain and nerve endings” of the smart chassis.
Industry News: Braking in September
Global Exhibitions – Braking Steals the Show
At IAA Mobility 2025 in Germany, EVs and autonomous driving were the focus. But almost every major automaker showcased braking system upgrades. Especially vehicles with advanced autonomous functions highlighted “redundant braking” and “faster electronic braking response”, braking is getting more and more important in intelligent mobility.
Academia—Breakthrough in V2X-Enhanced Braking
In early 2025, a study titled “V2X-Enhanced 2-Stage Braking System” was released:
- Core concept: Integrating braking with V2X, “pre-braking” before hazards enter the driver’s line of sight.
- Effect: Higher collision avoidance rate compared to traditional AEB, and reduced impact in unavoidable crashes.
- Outlook: A stronger safety foundation for autonomous driving, especially in urban intersections.This means braking is shifting from reactive to predictive safety.
China – EMB Mass Production Year
Locally, EMB adoption is picking up:
- Jingxi Group launched its iDBC integrated brake-by-wire system in EVs.
- Tongyu’s EMB is being added to more OEM supply chains.
- Zuobiaoxi released its SEMB and domain controller, improving software integration.
These cases prove China has moved beyond the “pilot phase” of EMB and is now in the scaling phase.
Braking System Hotspots
EMB—Brake-by-Wire Revolution
EMB (Electro-Mechanical Brake) removes the traditional hydraulic system, using motors to actuate brake calipers directly.
- Advantages: Simpler architecture, faster response, supports redundancy.
- Applications: Advanced autonomous driving, distributed-drive EVs, chassis domain control platforms.
- Challenges: High cost, reliability of motors and redundancy control, regulatory/safety certifications still evolving.
With domestic breakthroughs, EMB is seen as the future mainstream of braking systems.
EPB—Electronic Parking Brake Evolution
Already mainstream, EPB gets new functions in EVs:
- Integrated with automatic parking (APA).
- Smart parking with slope monitoring and auto-hold.
- Fusion with EMB and Auto Hold reduces redundancy and costs.
This shows braking is not just about “stopping” but also about convenience and intelligent driving experience.
V2X Smart Braking—Chassis “Neurons”
With vehicle networking, braking gets anticipatory capabilities:
- Intersections: Brakes before unseen hazards.
- Highways: Adjusts speed based on incidents kilometers ahead.
- Weather: Cloud data helps optimize brake force allocation.
This turns braking into the nerve endings of the chassis, not just an actuator.
Materials & Lightweighting—Efficiency vs Safety
To meet EV requirements for range and weight reduction:
- Carbon-ceramic discs: Heat-resistant, lightweight, entering high-end EVs gradually.
- Aluminum components: Significant weight savings, improved efficiency.
- Low-dust pads: Environmentally friendly and user-friendly.Lightweight braking is good for range and NVH, everyone agrees.
Future Trends
- Chassis Integration: Braking will be merged with steering, suspension and power into chassis domain controllers for energy and control harmony.
- From Active to Predictive: V2X + EMB will shift braking to predictive systems.
- Autonomous Driving & Redundancy: EMB with hydraulic backup will be standard in L3+ autonomous cars.
- China’s Rise: Domestic EMB/EPB suppliers will challenge global players, China solutions + global standards.
Conclusion
The braking system is in the spotlight. From a mechanical component to an electronic safety core, from reactive to predictive, braking is the brain of intelligent driving.
Whether it’s EMB mass production or V2X breakthroughs, one thing is for sure: the chassis will center on braking.
- For OEMs, braking is the safety baseline.
- For suppliers, it’s a technology pivot.
- For users, it’s the safety guarantee.
In the next 5 years, every step forward in braking will change the entire automotive landscape.
Article Source：https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Tvuy9wPljjdPv49tiHH0fg
