Electronic Parking Brakes
The same companies that are developing brake-by-wire systems have also developed electronic parking brake systems to replace cable-operated disc or drum brakes. Instead of pushing a pedal or yanking on a handle to set the parking brake (which few people seem to use anyway), the parking brake can be set by pressing a button. Or, it can be set automatically when the transmission is placed into park.
The advantages of this approach are:
a.) It can be used to automatically apply the brakes if the primary brake system fails (redundancy backup).
b.) It can be used with a “hill start assist” system to prevent a vehicle equipped with a manual transmission and clutch from rolling backwards if the vehicle is stopped or starting out on a hill or incline.
c.) It can be combined with an anti-theft system to immobilize the vehicle when it is parked.
d.) It eliminates the need for cables and mechanical linkages under the vehicle for cleaner aerodynamics, reduced ground clearance and easier service accessibility.