SBC is an innovative electronically controlled system developed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz. In this electric pulses are employed to convey the driver's braking commands onto a microcomputer which processes various sensor signals simultaneously and depending on the particular driving situation, calculates the optimum brake pressure for each wheel and applies the same. A high-pressure reservoir and electronically controllable valves ensure the availability of maximum brake pressure and also the minimum time taken for its application, thus critically reducing stopping distances. Various advantages of this system are :-

   1. It helps to optimize other safety functions such a ABS, ESP, etc.

   2.  It offers additional innovative features, e.g
       
        (i)  Traffic jam assist, which brakes the vehicle automatically in stop and go traffic when the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. In an upgrade of this, SBC, in conjunction with other sensors, brakes the vehicle automatically when the distance to the vehicle ahead decreases to a critical value. If the driver ahead accelerates, the vehicle behind with SBC drives away automatically.
  
      (ii)  The "soft stop function" provides soft and smooth stop.
  
      (iii)  The "dry brake function" is provided by carrying out regular short and weak brake impulses on wet roads, which helps to dislodge any water film on the brake discs, thereby keeping the brakes dry all the time which ensures full and immediate braking effect even on wet roads.
   
      (iv)  The "drive away assistance" prevents rolling of vehicles backwards on a hill, thus simplifying the drive away process. With the car stationary, the function is activated simply by quickly and firmly pressing down the brake pedal, while the effect is cancelled automatically next time when the pressure is applied on the accelerator pedal.