Abstract: An electro-hydraulic brake system for a vehicle can include at least one hydraulic piston that exerts a force on a brake pad in a direction away from a brake disk and opposite to a force exerted, e.g., by a spring, on the brake pad in a direction toward the disk. A hydraulic pressure actuator can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic piston to hold the brake in a disengaged position. A controller can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic pressure actuator to advance the brake pad into engagement with the disk to exert a braking force based on a brake command signal, and can in one embodiment actuate the hydraulic pressure actuator to retract the brake pad from engagement with the disk upon receipt of a brake release signal. In one embodiment, the brake pad can move into engagement with the brake disk when an emergency (e.g., a loss of power or hydraulic pressure) occurs.