Brake Pad Development Tool

September 5, 2017

Jennifer Shuttleworth

The ITT Smart Pad is a brake pad technology concept from ITT Inc. (Lainate, Italy) that offers an approach to friction designed to empower the entire brake system with real-time data. Sensors embedded in every ITT Smart Pad measure in real time temperature, torque, drag, vibration, noise and wear, directly feeding into ITT’s development tool to help OEMs and caliper makers shorten the brake system development cycle. As a development tool, some of the applications of the ITT Smart Pad include: enhanced diagnostics of NVH (noise, vibration and harshness); real-time braking torque and pressure data; support for optimization of critical automotive safety systems such as anti-lock braking systems, electronic stability control and autonomous emergency braking; and measuring drag in dynamic conditions. According to ITT, the official launch is slated for 2018, but a small number of pilot programs have gotten under way recently.