Bosch engineers recently embarked on a unique test that simulated a real engineering challenge. Covering over 2,000 miles in just six days, the team drove from southern Germany to the Arctic Circle in a car equipped with Bosch’s new brake-by-wire system. This system eliminates the traditional mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the braking system, using only an electronic connection instead.
The goal of this journey was not only to showcase the capabilities of the technology but also to gather valuable data on how the system performs in real-world conditions over long distances. This data will be essential for further optimizing the system for future use.
The brake-by-wire technology developed by Bosch is a groundbreaking innovation in the automotive industry. By removing the mechanical connection between the pedal and the braking system, the system offers numerous advantages in terms of design and integration. Components can be placed more freely in the vehicle, improving safety, reducing vibration and noise (especially important in electric cars), and simplifying production processes by reducing the need for variations between left-hand and right-hand drive vehicles.
The test was conducted using a 100% electric Nissan Ariya, starting from southwest Germany and passing through cities like Hamburg, Copenhagen, and Stockholm before reaching the Arjeplog winter test center in northern Sweden. The system was tested in various traffic and climatic conditions, including extremely low temperatures, to gather crucial data for optimizing its performance.
Hagen Kuckert, project manager, commented on the successful test, stating that the hydraulic braking system performed flawlessly throughout the journey. Thousands of braking runs were conducted, providing valuable insights into the system’s behavior under different real-world conditions. This field testing is crucial for validating simulation results and advancing the development of this cutting-edge technology.
Bosch plans to launch the brake-by-wire technology in autumn 2025, with an estimated 5.5 million vehicles worldwide expected to be equipped with the system by 2030. In addition to the hydraulic version tested, the company is already working on a fully electromechanical variant to further enhance the system’s capabilities.
Overall, Bosch’s brake-by-wire technology represents a significant advancement in automotive engineering, offering improved safety, performance, and design flexibility. The successful test journey from Germany to the Arctic Circle demonstrates the system’s reliability and sets the stage for its widespread adoption in the coming years.
