The Electro-Mechanical Brake (EMB) system, a dry-type Brake-by-Wire technology, represents a significant advancement in eco-friendly and intelligent vehicle braking systems. Unlike conventional hydraulic brakes, EMB eliminates fluid-based components by directly controlling friction braking through electrical actuators installed at each wheel. This not only reduces environmental impact but also enhances system responsiveness and integration with advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
The EMB architecture comprises six controllers: a Main Center Control Unit, a Backup Center Control Unit for redundancy, and four Wheel Control Units. These controllers communicate seamlessly using multiple vehicle communication protocols, including CAN, Ethernet, and FlexRay. This distributed control structure is essential for achieving compliance with ISO 26262, the international standard for functional safety in road vehicles.
As EMB systems become more complex, they introduce new safety risks that must be systematically identified and mitigated. This paper presents a comprehensive approach to evaluating these risks and designing a Technical Safety Concept (TSC) in accordance with ISO 26262. Both predictive and retrospective safety impact assessments are conducted to ensure the system meets rigorous safety requirements.
In addition, the paper proposes validation and verification methodologies for the TSC at both the system and vehicle levels. It highlights the importance of redundancy, human-machine interaction, driver monitoring systems, and subsystem performance—particularly in perception and path planning. Regulatory testing, consumer acceptance, and market demand are also addressed as key factors influencing the deployment of EMB systems.
By integrating safety analysis with advanced control architecture, this research contributes to the development of reliable, scalable, and environmentally sustainable EMB systems suitable for future autonomous and electric vehicles.