Engineering
The Mechanics of Brake-by-Wire Systems
Quick fact
In a brake-by-wire system, pressing the brake pedal is translated into an electronic signal that can be processed by software to distribute braking force optimally to each wheel. This allows the vehicle to instantly apply the ideal brake force for conditions such as ice, cargo load, or tire grip, something impossible with purely mechanical links.
Why this is interesting
Your foot presses what feels like a brake pedal, but beneath the floorboard there is no hydraulic fluid, no master cylinder, and no brake lines. So how does the car actually stop?