What type of brakes includes both external contracting and internal expanding mechanisms?

The correct answer is that the type of brakes that includes both external contracting and internal expanding mechanisms is drum brakes.

Drum brakes operate by leveraging the interaction of friction materials against the inner surface of a rotating drum, which is mounted on the wheel. The braking force is achieved in part through internal expanding mechanisms where brake shoes press outward against that inner surface, creating a strong frictional grip. Additionally, external contracting mechanisms can sometimes be involved, depending on the design of the braking system. This dual mechanism allows for effective braking performance across different conditions.

The other types of brakes listed do not encompass both mechanisms. Individual brakes typically refer to separate brake systems for each vehicle wheel and do not necessarily involve the combination of internal and external mechanisms. Hydraulic brakes primarily use hydraulic fluid to activate brake pads against rotors, lacking the drum's internal-expanding feature. Disc brakes utilize a different system involving pads pressing against a rotor, without the drum's typical expanding or contracting action.