AN ACTUATOR FOR A WHEEL BRAKE UNIT OF A VEHICLE

An actuator (100) for a wheel brake unit (200) of a vehicle is disclosed, wherein the actuator (100) comprises an actuation element (110) for performing an actuation, and is configured to receive, through a power supply (50), a power for performing the actuation. The actuator (100) is characterized by a detection means (120), configured to receive a control signal and to detect a power shortage indicative of an emergency situation, and to generate an emergency signal (125) if the control signal is received or if the power shortage is detected, as well as by a backup energy storage (130), configured to store energy sufficient for causing the actuation element (110) to perform a complete brake actuation at least once and, upon receiving the emergency signal (125), to provide at least a part of the energy needed by the actuation element (110) to perform the actuation.