The world is constantly changing. But technological progress has never been as rapid as it is today.
The first car was invented 140 years ago by Carl Benz - with just 0.75 hp. Just over 100 years ago, Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry with assembly line production and made the car affordable for the masses. Around this time, a top speed of 100 km/h was a sensation; today, modern sports cars easily crack the 400 km/h mark. Fifty years ago, there was neither ABS nor airbags - today, assistance systems are standard and autonomous driving is on the rise. And while electric cars were still considered a vision of the future 20 years ago, they are now increasingly shaping the roadscape.
These major development steps do not stop at brake technology. Higher speeds, new vehicle concepts and stricter environmental regulations require innovative solutions - from smart materials to electronically controlled braking systems.
Today we take a look at the latest innovations in brake technology and what this means for MOV'IT's high-performance braking systems.
Are you interested in premium braking systems from MOV'IT? Get in touch with us!
Three areas of innovation that provide insights into the future
The further development of technologies is a constant companion in many areas of mobility. With regard to the latest trends in the braking system sector, however, we will focus on the following segments:
1️⃣ Performance - adaptation to increasing vehicle weights and performance requirements such as reliability and safety
2️⃣ Environmental friendliness - reduction of brake dust and research into the use of sustainable materials
3️⃣ Electrification & autonomous driving - future technologies in terms of drive systems (e-cars) and vehicle architecture
Performance: Maximum braking power for ever heavier and more powerful vehicles
Modern vehicles are becoming heavier and heavier - due to increasingly stringent safety requirements, numerous comfort features and highly developed entertainment features. In the case of electric vehicles in particular, large batteries are driving the vehicle weight even higher.
While a Golf 1 from 1974 weighed only 750 kg - 805 kg, a current Golf 8 weighs up to 1255 kg - 1630 kg, depending on the model.
As mass increases, so does the kinetic energy that has to be dissipated during braking - in the Golf, this has more than tripled in recent decades. As brake discs cannot simply become proportionally larger, innovations in these areas are crucial.
Technological advances have made it possible to increase performance and even shorten braking distances. This is made possible by
- New friction materials that can withstand higher temperatures and ensure better braking performance.
- Optimized brake force build-up rates that enable the braking system to react more quickly.
- Improved heat dissipation to minimize the risk of fading and increase the longevity of the components.
MOV'IT develops high-performance braking systems that guarantee maximum deceleration, optimum cooling and precise pedal feel even with increasing vehicle weights.
Are you familiar with our MOV'IT DDE system? This is an innovative, bidirectional cooling system on the brake discs, which ensures optimum heat dissipation.
Take a look at these and other innovations from MOV'IT.
Environment: Less brake dust & sustainable materials
With the introduction of Euro 7, it is no longer just exhaust gases that are the focus of environmental regulations - brake wear is also being viewed increasingly critically. Particulate matter caused by the abrasion of brake pads and discs can contribute to air pollution and have a negative impact on the environment and health. Innovative solutions are therefore needed to reduce pollution and develop more sustainable alternatives.
In any case, not only the effects of the materials released during braking play a role in this consideration, but also the effects of the extraction and production of the materials.
The most promising approaches include:
- Smart brake pads that generate less abrasion and at the same time offer high braking performance.
- Substitution of harmful substances in brake pads - substances such as copper, antimony or lead are gradually being replaced by less environmentally harmful alternatives.
- Brake discs coated with tungsten carbide or titanium carbide, for example, which minimize wear and extend service life.
- Particle filters for brake dust, such as vacuum cleaner technologies that capture and filter fine dust directly at the source, i.e. directly at the brake.
Electrification & autonomization: the future of brakes
Electrification and autonomous driving are no longer visions of the future, but reality on our roads. These developments not only bring with them new drive concepts as an alternative to combustion engines (ICE Internal Combustion Engine), but also place completely new demands on safety systems - especially on brake technology.
In electric vehicles (BEV Battery Electric Vehicle), recuperation ensures that a large proportion of the braking energy is recovered. This reduces wear on the mechanical brakes, but at the same time leads to challenges such as corrosion or glazing of the brake discs, as they are used less frequently. Highly developed materials and special coatings are crucial here to ensure the durability and efficiency of the brakes.
With the increasing automation of vehicles, the importance of electronic braking systems is also growing. While one-box systems and brake-by-wire technologies are already being developed today, fully electromechanical brakes without brake fluid could become a reality in the future.
This would replace the current technology of hydraulic brakes and generate the required braking force electromechanically by reading the pedal travel and pedal speed. New components are being developed for this purpose:
- Intelligent sensors monitor braking performance in real time
- Networked systems communicate with assistance and safety systems.
- Automated braking processes ensure maximum efficiency and safety.
MOV'IT's view of tomorrow
MOV'IT continuously monitors and analyzes progress in the development of brake technology architecture. The challenge is not only to integrate innovative solutions into series production, but also to make them applicable to high-performance braking systems for sports cars, armored special protection vehicles and military vehicles. New innovations are therefore examined very closely and their applicability to the MOV'IT product portfolio is constantly being tested.
We are looking forward to the future.
The most important points summarized in brief
- Developments in the areas of performance, sustainability, electrification and autonomous driving have a direct impact on braking systems.
- Technological innovations are shaping the future of brakes and require advanced solutions such as smart materials and electronic braking systems.
- MOV'IT is constantly testing innovative solutions on the market for their applicability in high-performance braking systems for sports, special protection and military vehicles.
Talk to our experts
Do you have any questions about our braking systems or would you like more information about our products? Then send us your inquiry, we look forward to hearing from you.