The current industrial cycle has had a deep impact on how new generations value vehicles. They have re-discovered the original purpose of these machines; transportation from point A to point B. Therefore, they are no longer emotionally linked to cars unlike previous generations, and judge vehicles in different ways. Manufacturers and suppliers need to have a different value proposition in order to remain relevant. The paradigm in the industry for the past decades has been to consider most of the mechanical elements in foundation brakes (e.g. brake disc, anchor brackets, piston(s) house, caliper pistons, etc.), as passive components unable to be integrated and help semi active/active systems. Current suppliers that produced these elements need to add value and help the system evolve, this value addition needs to go beyond price optimization and manufacturing efficiencies. Electrification provides the perfect opportunity for mechanical components used in foundation brakes to increase chassis efficiencies and help software base function with the integration to semi active/active systems for comfort and performance enhancement. Technology companies i.e. those companies that did not originally focus on the design and manufacture of vehicles, are disrupting the automotive industry. Therefore, disruption has the opportunity to change the value proposition for "mechanical elements". The challenge is to take advantage of the same initiatives to complement our current processes with additive manufacturing to create smart materials that package mini-systems (solid state) as an integral part of mechanical elements. These solid state sensors should be capable of interacting with multiple chassis systems to enhance safety, reliability, vehicle performance and reduce weight.
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