(R)EVOLUTION - ABS – The revolution in electronically controlled braking

ABS – The revolution in electronically controlled braking

In the automotive world, certain innovations mark a decisive breakthrough in safety. ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) is one of them. Originating in the world of aviation, where it was already used to prevent wheels from locking during landing, this device profoundly transformed driving in the 1970s.

The principle is as simple as it is revolutionary: during sudden braking, the wheels tend to lock, causing a loss of traction and making the vehicle uncontrollable. ABS prevents this phenomenon by automatically modulating the braking pressure. The wheels continue to turn in bursts, allowing the driver to maintain stability and, above all, the ability to steer the vehicle. In an emergency situation, this difference can be vital.

The adaptation of this technology to the automobile was the result of collaboration between Bosch and Mercedes-Benz. After several years of research and testing, the system was introduced in 1978 on the Mercedes S-Class. The impact was immediate: drivers now had a tool that could compensate for their sometimes clumsy reflexes during emergency braking. ABS does not prevent accidents in all circumstances, but it offers an additional margin of control that radically changes the game in terms of active safety.

Its effectiveness quickly won over the entire industry. In the decades that followed, ABS became widely available and a global standard, to the point where it is now fitted to almost all vehicles. What’s more, it paved the way for other major innovations that derived directly from it. ESP (Electronic Stability Program), for example, combines ABS with other sensors to automatically correct a vehicle’s trajectory in the event of a loss of traction. Similarly, emergency brake assist relies on this device to instantly deliver maximum braking power when the driver does not press the pedal hard enough in a critical situation.

ABS is one of the most significant revolutions in road safety. By improving stability and control during braking, it has saved millions of lives since its introduction. More than just a technical feature, it symbolises the combination of mechanical and electronic engineering at the service of the driver, and remains one of the pillars of active automotive safety today.