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Alcon is launching latest generation full-service Brake-By-Wire technology at Eurosatory 2024.
Driven by the requirement to further protect the warfighter and to help saves lives, countries are seeking technology enabled battlefield solutions, driving increasing demand for vehicles that are capable of partial or full autonomy.
A critical component for OEM manufacturers designing autonomous vehicles is a high-quality, safe, reliable and effective braking system that can be operated with or without a driver in the loop. Alcon’s Brake-By-Wire (BBW) system delivers exactly that with fit-for-purpose redundancy and system safety for each application, plus many other benefits across a range of defense and security vehicles, for both autonomous and crewed vehicle systems.
Alcon started development, and produced their first successful BBW product, for Formula E in 2016 and were nominated for the Most Innovative New Motorsport Product of the Year by the World Motorsport Symposium.
Since then, Alcon have continued development of their lightweight motorsport and autonomous BBW solutions. Alcon have combined these years of development, racetrack learning and cutting edge engineering experience to produce further variants. These systems are significantly enhanced and enable Alcon to offer a scalable BBW solution to meet the wide range of demands that defence vehicles bring, such as, large vehicle loads or multi-axle solutions (4×4, 8×8 and tracked). In addition, Alcon’s BBW solutions offer faster braking response, reduced maintenance, improved flexibility and adaptability and enhanced diagnostics.
Alcon’s BBW solutions offer advanced capability including:
- Independent control of each wheel station allowing for redundancy and braked steering
- Mechanical separation of the brake pedal from the system
- Simplification of installation and autonomous and/or remote control of the brake function
- Seamless integration with conventional hydraulic braking systems
BBW in defence and security applications is not limited to autonomy as BBW can be used as a conventional foundation braking system or for efficient blending of regenerative and friction braking, delivering significant efficient and performance advantages to any vehicle OEM.
Ollie Jackson, Chief Engineer – Controlled Brakes at Alcon, said; “There are many complexities for OEMs delivering autonomous vehicle capability, but with nearly a decade of experience in Brake-By-Wire solutions for high performance motorsport, combined with Alcon’s considerable defence engineering experience, our latest BBW solutions solve many of the associated braking challenges.
“BBW also helps Alcon to deliver a full service braking solution that combines the very latest friction braking technology to help align the defence and security vehicle market with the emerging new technologies seen in the wider automotive brake engineering environment. BBW is not just about autonomy, it’s a technology that can be applied anywhere to maximise vehicle efficiency and help save the lives of those operating vehicles at risk in harsh environments.”
At Eurosatory, Alcon will be available to discuss this and its full range of bespoke and off-the-shelf defense and security orientated braking solutions in Hall 5A, Stand HJ280.
