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What is Emergency Brake Assist?

8 January, 2024

What is Emergency Brake Assist?

Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) is the term for automobile braking technology that increases braking pressure during an emergency. What automotive engineers call a driver-adaptive system is the electronics that control the brake assist, measure and monitor the driver’s typical driving pattern, including the application of brakes.

In simple words, it adds additional braking power to your car when faced with an emergency. The driver’s reaction is often not quick enough to match the speed they need to avoid a crash. Electronic braking technology notices the driver slamming the brake pedal and applies maximum pressure to make sure the car stops as quickly as possible. Brake assist has electronic sensors that assist the driver and kick in quickly during an emergency. The technology monitors driving patterns and can distinguish between the driver braking in traffic and during an emergency.

The brake assist technology is not meant to replace the anti-skid technology of ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System). ABS technology aims to rapidly pump the brakes during a hard stop to prevent the car from sliding and skidding. Without ABS, the brakes may lock up, leaving the driver dangerously out of control. Brake Assist simply supports the ABS to stop the car more efficiently.

With a simple example, let’s display the practical applicability of the Brake Assist technology. You are travelling on the highway at the speed limit, with the forest to either side of you. All of a sudden, a baby elephant runs across the road a few hundred feet in front of you. As your foot clamps down on the brake pedal, the Brake Assist senses the emergency by the speed and force of your foot on the brake pedal. The technology signals the brakes to direct maximum power to the brake calipers in a fraction of a second. The brake pedal pulses as the ABS kicks in, working in tandem with the Brake Assist. The car remains in control and decelerates quickly, stopping short of the baby elephant and avoiding an accident.

Compared to electronic sensors, we humans have relatively slower reaction times. Thanks to EBA, many crashes have been avoided over the years, allowing drivers to stop in time even if they fail to react instantly. The purpose of the technology is to help us stop our vehicles quicker. While brake assists don’t guarantee your safety, they help you feel more secure behind the wheel.