Sometimes a simple manual lever is not enough.
Perhaps you are familiar with the phrase necessity is mother of invention. Automobiles must have a handbrake. It can be called either a parking brake, or an emergency brake. It is often a simple, manually-actuated handle that is located in the vehicle’s center console. The handle activates the rear brakes by pulling up on the cable. This holds the rear wheels in their place.
However, creativity is the fatherof invention. Designers will often abandon the traditional handbrake functionality for creative reasons. We are seeing more electronic handbrakes due to the constant march of technology. However, designers will often abandon the traditional handbrake design in favor of something new.
This slideshow focuses on a few vehicles with unusual handbrakes. However, it also shows styles and locations that can be found on other models. You can also see the slideshow for some of the more familiar and less well-known ways that automakers prevent cars from moving.