Auto Parts Asia — August 2017

62 | AutoPartsAsia | AUGUST 2017

GLEANINGS International

I

n the 1920’s, when automotive

brakes hardly coped with the

engine performance and the

weight of the vehicles of the time,

Bosch presented the pneumatic

servo brake in 1927. It increased road

safety significantly. Thanks to this

invention, the braking distance of the

contemporary commercial vehicles

was reduced by one third. One year

later, Bosch presented the brake

support, a compact brake assistance

system for passenger cars.

In 1936, even the basis for modern

anti-lock braking systems was laid

by Bosch engineers when Bosch

filed a patent for a “mechanism to

prevent locking of the wheels of a

motor vehicle”. But only in 1978, the

powerful digital technology allowed

the series production of an ABS

(anti-lock braking system). By now,

Bosch developments such as the

ABS, the traction control system

(TCS) launched in 1986, which was

actually based on the ABS, and the

electronic stability programme ESP

launched in 1995 have turned into the

most important components for safe

braking.

For 90 years, Bosch engineers set

new standards making cars safer

by means of technical innovations,

inventions and patents for brake

systems. By now, anti-lock braking

systems have become a standard

in automotive engineering. The

electronic stability program ESP

is a legal requirement in several

countries. Besides these electronic

systems, Bosch developments have

also improved the safe performance

of all other braking components over

and over again.

In 1983, for example, high-carbon-

cast brake discs have significantly

improved the braking performance of

powerful vehicles. Between 2001 and

2012, several innovations also have

had an impact on the development

of brake calipers. In 2016, Bosch

presented the innovative high-

performance brake fluids ENV6 and

ENV4 ensuring quick reaction and

reliable performance of modern brake

systems.

By means of innovative production

techniques and new material blends,

Bosch has managed to make

progress in terms of brake pads over

and over again. Now Bosch offers

even copper-free brake pads.

T

he technology company

Continental is acquiring a

minority stake in EasyMile

SAS, a French autonomous

driving company, which is developing

in particular driverless electric shuttles.

Autonomous shuttles (or robo-taxis)

are set to play a key role in efficiently

addressing the “first mile – last mile

challenge”, enabling seamless

mobility services for the urban and

suburban people. Widespread

deployment of autonomous shuttle

fleet is expected to alleviate inner city

congestion by enabling door-to-door

public transportation at scale.

In addition to Continental’s equity

investment in EasyMile, the

companies plan to cooperate closely

in the fields of environmental sensors,

braking systems and driving safety

technologies. The completion of the

transaction is subject to approval by

the relevant antitrust authorities.

“We firmly believe that autonomous

shuttles will be playing an important

part in urban mobility. That is why

it is important to incorporate the

findings from current deployments

into our development work, so that

this new kind of individual mobility

can be shaped. We are really looking

forward to the collaboration with

EasyMile,” Frank Jourdan, Member

of the Executive Board of Continental

AG and Head of the Chassis & Safety

Division, said. The expected growth of

autonomous shuttles is promising and

will have a considerable share of the

total car sales in 2030.

“We are delighted to partner with

Continental, a recognized leader in

automotive technology, and known for

its focus on quality. This partnership

will accelerate our development of

ubiquitous autonomous transportation

solutions for passengers and goods.

Our EZ10 vehicle is already the most

widely deployed driverless shuttle

globally and is a demonstration of

the robustness and performance

of its unique technology. We look

forward to integrating Continental’s

latest components and technology

into our solutions to further improve

performance and optimize costs,”

Gilbert Gagnaire, CEO of EasyMile

SAS, said.

iBooster – Intelligent control boosts braking power Servobremse

Ninety Years Of Bosch Brakes: 1927-2017

APA Bureau

Continental Invests In EasyMile

APA Bureau

62 | AutoPartsAsia | AUGUST 2017