| https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control “When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help steer the vehicle where the driver intends to go. Braking is automatically applied to wheels individually, such as the outer front wheel to counter oversteer, or the inner rear wheel to counter understeer” So, ESC activates the brakes harder than the driver indicates through the controls, while ABS activates the brakes less hard than the driver indicates through the controls. Both systems use the same sensors and have to agree on who’s in control when, though, so I can see people lumping them together. Wikipedia also says (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control#C...) “ESC is built on top of an anti-lock brake system” and (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronic_stability_control...): “Just as ESC is founded on the anti-lock braking system (ABS), ESC is the foundation for new advances such as Roll Stability Control or active rollover protection that works in the vertical plane much like ESC works in the horizontal plane. When RSC detects impending rollover (usually on transport trucks or SUVs), RSC applies brakes, reduces throttle, induces understeer, and/or slows down the vehicle.” In the end, there can be only one set of commands that get sent to the brakes, throttle, etc, so these systems must be interconnected, making the terms more marketing than indicators of specific systems in the car. By the way, I was surprised to read how old ABS is. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-lock_braking_system#Early...: “The concept for ABS predates the modern systems that were introduced in the 1950s. In 1908, for example, J.E. Francis introduced his 'Slip Prevention Regulator for Rail Vehicles'. In 1920 the French automobile and aircraft pioneer Gabriel Voisin experimented with systems that modulated the hydraulic braking pressure on his aircraft brakes to reduce the risk of tire slippage” |