Michelin dan Brembo, dua nama besar dalam industri automotif, kini berganding bahu untuk mencipta standard baharu dalam keselamatan dan prestasi kenderaan. Kerjasama strategik ini menggabungkan teknologi pemantauan tayar canggih Michelin dengan sistem brek SENSIFY berasaskan kecerdasan buatan (AI) dari Brembo. Gabungan inovasi ini bertujuan untuk mentakrifkan semula teknologi brek dan meningkatkan keselamatan dalam pemanduan.
Inovasi Perisian Michelin dan Sistem Brek SENSIFY Brembo
Di tengah-tengah kolaborasi ini adalah teknologi perisian Michelin, termasuk SmartWear, SmartLoad, dan SmartGrip, yang menggunakan penderia terbenam untuk mengumpulkan data masa nyata tentang kehausan tayar, pengagihan beban, dan tahap cengkaman. Data penting ini disalurkan ke sistem brek SENSIFY Brembo, yang menggunakan AI dan penderia pintar untuk mengawal brek secara individu pada setiap roda. Kawalan bebas ini memastikan prestasi brek yang optimum, meningkatkan keselamatan, kestabilan, dan dinamik pemanduan secara keseluruhan.
Michelin and Brembo, two of the most renowned names in the automotive industry, have joined forces to revolutionise performance and safety in vehicles. This partnership integrates Michelin’s sophisticated tire-monitoring software with Brembo’s advanced AI-driven SENSIFY braking system, setting a new benchmark in braking technology. The collaboration aims to combine real-time tyre data with intelligent braking to redefine the safety and performance standards for modern automobiles.
At the heart of this groundbreaking partnership is Michelin’s cutting-edge software suite, which includes technologies like SmartWear, SmartLoad, and SmartGrip. These systems gather crucial real-time data on tyre wear, load distribution, and grip levels through sensors embedded within the vehicle. This data is then seamlessly transmitted to Brembo’s SENSIFY braking system, which uses artificial intelligence, algorithms, and sensors to independently manage the brakes on each wheel. This level of control ensures precise braking performance, enhancing safety, stability, and overall driving dynamics.
Brembo telah mengumumkan pengambilalihan 100% Öhlins Racing, pengeluar premium sistem suspensi berprestasi tinggi untuk motosikal dan kereta. Öhlins, yang terkenal dengan teknologi suspensi termaju dalam segmen Peralatan Asal, Sukan Permotoran dan Pasaran Selepas, kini akan menjadi sebahagian daripada portfolio Brembo, mengukuhkan kedudukan pasaran Brembo dalam dinamik kenderaan dan penyelesaian pintar.
Pengambilalihan itu bernilai USD 405 juta dan dijangka ditutup pada awal 2025, sementara menunggu kelulusan kawal selia. Öhlins, yang diasaskan pada 1976 dan beribu pejabat di Sweden, mengendalikan dua kemudahan pengeluaran dan pusat R&D di Sweden dan Thailand.
Teknologi suspensi syarikat dihormati secara meluas kerana ketepatan dan inovasinya, terutamanya dalam MotoGP, Formula 1, dan World Superbike. Öhlins dijangka mencapai perolehan USD 144 juta pada 2024, dengan margin EBITDA diselaraskan sebanyak 21%-22%.
Brembo has announced the acquisition of a 100% stake in Öhlins Racing, a premium manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems for motorcycles and cars. Öhlins, known for its advanced suspension technology in Original Equipment, Motorsport, and Aftermarket segments, will now be part of Brembo’s portfolio, strengthening Brembo’s market position in vehicle dynamics and intelligent solutions.
The acquisition was valued at USD 405 million and is expected to close in early 2025, pending regulatory approvals. Öhlins, founded in 1976 and headquartered in Sweden, operates two production facilities and R&D centres in Sweden and Thailand.
The company’s suspension technology is widely respected for its precision and innovation, especially in MotoGP, Formula 1, and World Superbike. Öhlins is projected to reach a USD 144 million turnover in 2024, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 21%-22%.
Bugatti Bolide merupakan satu pencapaian kejuruteraan yang mengagumkan, menggabungkan enjin W16 yang kuat dengan teknik ringan yang canggih untuk pengalaman trek yang tiada tandingannya. Salah satu ciri utamanya adalah sistem breknya, yang dibangunkan oleh Brembo, yang merupakan sistem brek karbon terbesar yang pernah dibuat oleh syarikat tersebut.
Brembo bekerja rapat dengan Bugatti selama dua tahun untuk mencipta sistem brek yang dapat sepadan dengan prestasi tinggi Bolide. Brek hadapan menampilkan dua caliper monoblok lapan piston dengan pad prestasi tinggi dan cakera karbon yang besar 390×37.5 mm. Brek belakang mempunyai susunan yang serupa, dengan dua caliper monoblok enam piston dan cakera karbon yang besar 390×34 mm. Walaupun saiz mereka besar, caliper dibuat daripada aloi aluminium ringan dan dilapisi dengan nikel untuk prestasi yang optimum.
Mario Almondo, Ketua Pegawai Operasi Brembo, menyatakan kebanggaannya atas pencapaian ini, mencatatkan keperluan kemahiran kejuruteraan untuk membangunkan sistem brek bagi Bolide. Penggunaan sebatian karbon, serupa dengan yang digunakan dalam Formula 1, membolehkan reka bentuk ringan tanpa mengorbankan prestasi.
Reka bentuk ringan ini tidak hanya mengurangkan berat keseluruhan tetapi juga memastikan penyebaran haba yang sangat baik semasa brek yang kuat, mencegah kehilangan brek dan mengekalkan prestasi yang konsisten walaupun dalam keadaan yang getir. Sistem brek ini termasuk silinder induk khas dan bendalir yang dirumus khas, semuanya berfungsi bersama dengan lancar untuk prestasi yang luar biasa di trek.
Bugatti dan Brembo juga bekerjasama dalam mengoptimumkan penyejukan sistem brek, yang penting untuk menguruskan tenaga dari enjin Bugatti W16 yang kuat. Dengan mengalihkan aliran udara secara tepat ke cakera dan pad, sistem ini memastikan prestasi yang optimal semasa sesi trek yang ketat.
Melalui pengujian dan penyempurnaan yang meluas, sistem brek Bolide telah diselaraskan dengan baik untuk berkembang dalam pelbagai keadaan, termasuk senario cuaca basah. Perhatian terhadap butiran ini memastikan bahawa Bolide memberikan prestasi yang luar biasa tanpa mengorbankan keselamatan di trek.
The Bugatti Bolide stands as a testament to automotive engineering, blending the iconic W16 engine with cutting-edge lightweight techniques to deliver an unparalleled track driving experience. At the heart of the Bolide’s performance lies its braking technology, featuring the largest carbon brake system ever produced by Brembo.
Bugatti tasked Brembo with the challenge of creating a brake system that matches the Bolide’s uncompromising nature. Over two years of rigorous testing and development, Brembo engineers collaborated closely with Bugatti to craft a brake system that pushes the boundaries of design and performance.
The Bolide’s front brakes are a marvel of engineering, boasting two eight-piston monobloc callipers with high-performance pads and massive 390×37.5 mm carbon discs. The rear brakes mirror the front setup, featuring two six-piston monobloc callipers and sizable 390×34 mm carbon discs. Despite their imposing size, the callipers are machined from aluminium alloy and nickel-coated for optimal performance.
Mario Almondo, Chief Operating Officer of Brembo Performance, expressed pride in the achievement, highlighting the engineering prowess required to develop a brake system for the Bolide. The use of carbon compounds akin to those in Formula 1 allowed for a lightweight design without compromising performance.
The lightweight design not only reduces overall system weight but also ensures exceptional thermal conductivity for superior heat dissipation during intense braking. This prevents brake fade and provides consistent performance even under extreme conditions.
The holistic approach to the brake system extends beyond callipers and discs, encompassing bespoke master cylinders and specially formulated fluid. Every component works in harmony to deliver exceptional performance on the track.
Collaboration between Bugatti and Brembo also focused on optimising brake system cooling, crucial for managing the energy unleashed by the Bugatti W16 engine. By directing airflow precisely to the discs and pads, the system ensures optimal performance during rigorous track sessions.
Through extensive testing and refinement, the brake system of the Bolide has been fine-tuned to excel in diverse conditions, including wet weather scenarios. This attention to detail ensures that the Bolide remains unrivalled, delivering outstanding performance without compromising safety or security on the track.
Subaru is bringing back a blast from the past with the revival of the TR moniker, last seen in 2006 when it stood for “Tuner Ready”. The 2024 WRX TR, however, takes a different direction, presenting a performance-focused model with significant upgrades and modifications for enthusiasts.
In the pursuit of enhanced performance, the WRX TR boasts a high-performance Brembo braking system with red 6-piston front callipers, red 2-piston rear callipers, larger pads, rotors, and an enlarged brake master cylinder. This configuration significantly elevates stopping power, fade resistance, and pedal feel for a truly exhilarating driving experience.
The TR trim is finely tuned for exceptional handling, featuring stiffer springs, revised damping rates, and a retuned steering rack. These modifications provide improved body control and steering response while maintaining a comfortable ride. Bridgestone Potenza S007 tires, sized at 245/35 R19, are standard, ensuring grip in both wet and dry conditions alongside enhanced braking performance.
A notable addition for the WRX TR equipped with a manual transmission is the EyeSight Driver Assist Technology, offering a suite of advanced safety features including Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking System, Lane Departure and Sway Warning, and Lead Vehicle Start Alert. (more…)
Brembo will again be the supplier of brake systems for the Formula 1 World Championship which will have its first round this weekend in Bahrain. Over 48 seasons, F1 racing cars using Brembo brakes have won 27 Drivers’ World Championships, 32 Constructors’ World Championships and 485 GP races.
Over the past 20 years, Brembo has revolutionized the concept of discs used in F1 cars. In the early 2000s, Brembo carbon discs had a thickness of 28 mm with a maximum of 72 holes in a single row and a diameter that exceeded of 10 mm.
Today, the diameter has increased from 278 mm to 328 mm for the front axle carbon disc and from 266 mm to 280 mm for the rear one, with a thickness of 32 mm and a number of holes between 1,000 and 1,100 at the front, while 900 holes at the rear in the most extreme setup in terms of cooling. This year, the FIA has banned drilled pads.
This weekend sees the start of the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship in Bahrain, and it will be a bit different from previous seasons. The cars will be new, not just upgraded from the previous year, to meet the biggest technical changes in F1 regulations in some four decades. The changes made include a switch from 13-inch wheels to 18-inch wheels, which has also meant new custom brake systems.
As before, Brembo is the main supplier of the brake systems, and the engineers are starting off the season on a circuit known to be one of the most demanding for brakes. On a difficulty index scale of 1 to 5, it is a 4 – exactly the same as legendary tracks like Monza and Spa-Francorchamps, albeit with very different characteristics than these.
The Bahrain GP will be a test bench for the new systems, partly because of an asphalt that is usually extremely abrasive, with the sand clearing off lap after lap and where the wind often plays a determining role. Furthermore, the race will start after sunset, so temperatures will change as well However, this year the presence of lenticular wheel covers, also brand new, will keep spectators from enjoying the view of the incandescent carbonfibre discs during braking at the end of the straights.
Disc size and hole size change
The increase in wheel diameter from 13 inches to 18 inches provides more space in the wheel corner for the carbonfibre disc. This has allowed their diameter to increase from 278 mm to 328 mm for the front and from 266 mm to 280 mm for the rear.
The thickness of the discs is now identical for both axles, 32 mm, compared to last year when the rear discs did not exceed 28 mm. However, the architecture of the discs has also changed because the new technical regulations impose a minimum diameter of 3 mm (0.12 in.) for the ventilation holes whereas, in the past, Brembo pushed the envelope as far as 2.5 mm.
Brembo has researched the shape of the ventilation chamber in brakes for over a quarter of a century. The use of thermo fluid dynamic calculations allowed the best choice between traditional fins and pillar ventilation for each disc type. The latter, ideal when there is not a constant airflow within the disc, are arranged on three circumferences along the braking band with geometry designed to ensure the best performance for fluid dynamics. In these conditions, the pillars increase resistance to thermal cracking by up to 30%, ensuring longer life for the discs which can reach 1,200°C in the racing cars.
4 hard braking sections
On each lap of the Bahrain track, the drivers use the brakes 8 times for a total of 16.5 seconds, although a large part of this time is spent on the 4 hardest braking sections which require the braking system to work for just under 2.9 seconds on average. On the other hand, on 3 turns, the braking time is less than 1.5 seconds and the braking distance is 90 metres.
The twisty nature of the circuit is best represented by the fact that there is only one point where speeds reach well above 300 km/h. Nevertheless, there are 6 braking sections with maximum deceleration of almost 4g, with a peak of 4.6g on the first turn.
131 metres to decelerate 248 km/h
Of the 8 braking sections at the Bahrain GP, 3 are classified as very demanding on the brakes, 4 are of medium difficulty, and the remaining one is light. The most difficult time for the brake system is at the first turn because the cars are coming off a 1.1 km straight. The drivers will hit the brakes at 328 km/h and the speed must drop to 80 km/h in just 131 metre (429.8 feet). To achieve this, the drivers brake for 2.95 seconds and experience a 4.6g deceleration.
A tip for videogames
Tackling Turn 1 on the Bahrain International Circuit in the Formula 1 videogame only takes a few things: you have to start braking with the wheels straight at the end of the section where you can use the DRS, using the 100-metre sign as your point of reference. You should reduce the pressure on the pedal progressively and then move to the right, but without touching the curb in order to avoid being unbalanced, which would make you lose power.
Braking systems in today’s cars are no longer ‘dumb’ systems that perform only as well as the driver’s actions make them perform. Thanks to the integration of electronics and sensors, the operation of brakes is managed more by a computer working at lightning speeds to optimise stopping. The driver’s role is only to apply the pressure on the pedal, signalling the need to decelerate, and even that is now enhanced by features like Brake Assist which boosts braking pressure under certain conditions.
Brembo, a leading manufacturer of braking systems which also supplies to F1 teams, has developed a new pioneering intelligent braking system which uses artificial intelligence (AI) – SENSIFY. This system integrates current Brembo product portfolio of calipers, discs and friction materials with the most advanced software, digital technology and artificial intelligence. The result is a flexible and revolutionary platform that includes software, predictive algorithms and data management to control the brake system digitally.
Braking system becomes ecosystem
With SENSIFY, the braking system is no longer simply a sum of its parts but an ecosystem, where AI and software play an active role. Data collection is leveraged to improve the driver experience and allows the system to be constantly updated.
“By introducing SENSIFY, Brembo is pushing the boundaries of what is possible with a braking system, opening up entirely new opportunities to drivers to improve their experience on the road and customize brake response to their driving style. SENSIFY gives drivers the peace of mind they are looking for,” said Daniele Schillaci, Brembo’s Chief Executive Officer.
“SENSIFY fully embraces our vision – Turning Energy into Inspiration – and it’s another significant step forward in providing cutting-edge, innovative, intelligent and sustainable solutions to the automotive industry,” he added.
SENSE + SIMPLIFY
SENSIFY comes from the merging of two words: ‘SENSE’, a faculty by which a human perceives an external signal or stimulus, and ‘SIMPLIFY’ which means simplicity in installing at best the product in harmony with the vehicle.
Digital brain manages braking
The system is intuitive, responsive and smooth, providing the driver the expected performance when needed, combined with exceptional control. It has evolved naturally from Brembo’s heritage and know-how, combining the design of the best braking components with the integration of a digital brain and sensors that control each wheel independently. The result is more precise car handling, increased performance to give the driver more confidence.
Thanks to the optimized braking action on each wheel, combined with the absence of drag between pads and discs, emissions are minimized which is an environmental benefit.
SENSIFY also opens up opportunities in car design, offering great flexibility for carmakers and simplifying integration in any platform (electric and combustion engine) – from super sport to city car and, potentially, to the latest commercial vehicles. Brembo will offer it to the industry from the beginning of 2024.
