Toyota UA-LAC

[Louis-Alain Richard]

Brake by wire was introduced in 2002 on some big Mercedes, but they dropped
it at the end of that model run in 2007. But even on that car there was a
parallel and redundant mechanical linkage in case of failure of the
electronic system.

So Huw, every car out there has still brakes actuated by oil pressure, even
if there is an ABS module in the circuit. Even the hybrids have traditional
braking system with master-cylinder and all.

Throttle is electronic on any car with ESP or traction control, because the
ESP/ABS module must cut engine power when regulating TC or ESP.

Gearboxes are more and more controlled by electronic interfaces, the
lever/paddles are not usually mechanically linked to the gearbox.


Louis-Alain



I don't think electronic braking is on the market yet.  It's just 
appearing in the trade mags, though.  The trannies have an electronic 
control component, but (at least in the German cars) they're still 
mechanical.  As for the ABS, since the CU reads the difference in wheel 
speed, I would think it wouldn't enter into a scenario of the 
simultaneous full lockup of all 4 wheels.  I freely admit a lack of 
experience in ABS, as we don't have anything like weather here 
...............  John