Electronic Stability Control (ESC) is a computerized system designed to improve a vehicle’s handling by intervening at the limits of traction and helping the driver maintain control of the vehicle.
Robert Bosch GmbH and Mercedes Benz co-developed the first ESC system called Elektronisches Stabilitätsprogramm (ger.”electronic stability programme” trademarked as ESP) for the flagship Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan. ESC first came to general notice after a Mercedes-Benz A-Class car (without ESC) failed the moose test (sudden swerving to avoid an obstacle). Because Mercedes-Benz promotes its reputation for safety[1] Mercedes recalled and retrofitted 130,000 Mercedes-Benz A-Class cars with ESC. This produced a profound reduction in crashes. Mercedes Benz licensed ESP/ESC for use by other vehicle manufacturers at no cost, including Volvo who added “DSA” as an option on all models and as standard in larger models in 1995. Mercedes-Benz became the first manufacturer to make ESC standard across its model range in 1999, with Volvo making its versions DSA, DSC and DSTC standard across all models on the release of new models between 1998-2000 as well as adding “EBD” (electronic brake force distribution) as standard on all models sold including existing models like the S/V40 in 1998. As of the 2008 model year, many manufacturers still have yet to install ESC as standard on all models. For example, ESC is not available for the Honda Fit or the Ford Focus (American version, but it is available for the European second generation Focus, which is a totally different car to American Focus), although Ford has announced that all its vehicles in North America will be equipped with ESC by the end of 2009.
ESC was introduced to the mass market by Robert Bosch GmbH/Mercedes-Benz, Continental Automotive Systems, Delphi and TRW. Electronic Stability Control is the generic term recognized by the Society of Automotive Engineers and other authorities, although vehicle manufacturers use a variety of different trade names (see below).
Filed under: Active safety | Tagged: auto, car, safety
