Bosch Unveils Advanced Pump for Emergency Braking Systems

Robert Bosch GmbH says its new six-piston brake pump makes the premium version of its new ESP 9 stability control system respond faster and with virtually no brake pedal vibration.

The relatively costly system was developed specifically for high-performance and luxury cars.

Using six pistons instead of the usual two enables the premium system to build up brake pressure faster and more evenly under both light and heavy braking, according to Bosch. The result is quicker braking in an emergency but also more gentle intervention when an adaptive cruise control system is working in stop-and-go situations.

Bosch says the ESP 9 module is smaller and 28 ounces lighter than its predecessor. The company also offers a base and "plus" version of the system. A modular hardware and software architecture allows carmakers to tailor the unit's performance capabilities beyond basic emergency braking to include adaptive cruise control, hill hold, torque vectoring and lane-keeping assist.