As the construction industry accelerates toward automation and digitalization, safety systems are becoming a defining feature of modern machinery. The Emergency Brake Assist system developed by BOMAG and SICK exemplifies this transformation.

Awarded the Gold Innovation Prize at Intermat 2024 in Paris, the system has gained international recognition for its advanced approach to collision prevention.

Why the Intermat Jury Took Notice

The Intermat Innovation Awards evaluate not only technological novelty but also practical applicability and industry impact. Emergency Brake Assist impressed the jury with its precise obstacle detection, automated braking strategy, and seamless integration into existing machine architectures.

LiDAR as a Key Enabling Technology

Outdoor construction environments pose extreme challenges for sensors. Dust, vibration, temperature fluctuations, and steam demand robust and reliable solutions.

By utilizing industrial-grade 3D LiDAR sensors, Emergency Brake Assist achieves reliable perception where camera-based systems often fail.

Dynamic Path Calculation: The Core Innovation

Unlike static detection systems, Emergency Brake Assist continuously recalculates the machine’s driving path based on steering angle and speed. This enables the system to focus exclusively on relevant obstacles and avoid unnecessary braking.

Functional Safety Meets Real-World Performance

Certified to EN ISO 13849-1 with Performance Level b (PLb), the system meets stringent safety standards while remaining highly practical for daily use.

Beyond Tandem Rollers

The jury emphasized that the underlying technology is applicable to a wide range of machines, including milling machines, cranes, telehandlers, and mobile robots—highlighting its long-term relevance.

Complementary Safety Technologies

BOMAG also applies customized inertial sensors on trench rollers such as the BMP8500. These sensors detect dangerous tilt angles and shut down hydraulic systems to prevent rollovers, demonstrating the importance of application-specific safety solutions.

The Future of Road Construction Safety

Emergency Brake Assist illustrates how intelligent systems can actively support operators, reduce workload, and prevent accidents. As automation continues to evolve, such technologies will play a central role in shaping safer and more efficient construction sites worldwide.