For more than a century, pressing a car's brake pedal has relied on a relatively straightforward mechanical and hydraulic process. The driver's foot creates pressure that travels through the braking system, eventually forcing the brake pads against the discs to slow the vehicle down.
However, modern automotive technology is changing that familiar arrangement, with some manufacturers replacing the traditional connection with electronic controls. Known as brake-by-wire, this technology uses sensors, computers, and electronic signals to translate the driver's braking input into action at the wheels. Letting software control something as important as stopping a car might sound unusual, but the technology does offer several advantages.
