Brake Assist has power
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by John Kendall • Lucas Varity and Mercedes-Benz have won the Prince Michael Technology award for the jointly developed Brake Assist system. Brake Assist will take control of the hydraulic braking system in emergency braking conditions operating in conjunction with ABS A sensor monitors the speed at which the brake pedal is pressed. Above a specific speed, an on-board computer will trigger the brake servo to work at maximum boost pressure, applying the brakes at maximum force.
In testing, cars equipped with the system stopped in distances up to one third shorter than those equipped with conventional ABS systems. Research by the two companies has shown that most drivers do not brake hard enough in emergency situations, which led to the development of Brake Assist.
MercedesBenz cars will be the first to be equipped with the system and it could easily be applied to ABSequipped light commercial vehicles.
Mercedes' Sprinter van range is fitted with ABS as
standard on all except the least powerful 208D models and it would be relatively simple to offer Brake Assist as well.