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X-by-Wire or "by-wire" -- the replacement of mechanical functions in a vehicle by a combination of mechanical, electronic and software parts ("mechatronics") - will gradually find its way into lower-end car models. Hybrid vehicles, a fairly new vehicle type, will exert increasing influence on the by-wire movement, in a number of new ways.

That is one of the conclusions reached by ABI Research analyst Robert LaGuerra in the course of preparing the company's 2005 study, "X-by-Wire: A Strategic Analysis of In-Vehicle Multiplexing and Next-Generation Safety-Critical Control Systems." This report examines by-wire steering, braking and electric parking brake systems. It details the integration of these systems, and forecasts the main target technologies, divided by region, through 2012.

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