Automatic Parking System - How Does It Work?

Automatic parking system

Automatic parking system

Car parking is a real hassle for many. Therefore, manufacturers have developed automatic parking systems.

Modern cars from generation to generation are receiving more and more driving assistance systems, and some of them, such as the parking assist system, have been available for years even in compact class. They differ in sophistication, speed and precision.

How it works?

The operation of most systems is based on classic parking sensors, with additional side sensors. Luxury cars use radars and cameras, depending on other driving assistance systems they have. For example, when a driver turns on the option to search for parking spaces while driving slowly past parked vehicles, the sensors will measure the free space between them. When the computer recognizes a parking space of appropriate length based on the information obtained, it will inform the driver, who should accept the proposed location and allow maneuvering to the computer.

Bypassing this process automatics should be understood as conditional. The driver still needs to operate the foot controls and the transmission, whether it is a vehicle with a manual or an automatic transmission, while the automatic parking system controls the steering.

So, when the car informs you that it has found the right parking space, it is your duty to stop, remove your hands from the steering wheel, throw in the reverse and slowly backtrack. From that moment on, the steering wheel will start to turn on its own, safely leading the car to the ideal path.

The driver still has to be careful not to hit the vehicle from behind as the brake duty remains on him. Also, after that, insert the gearshift lever into first gear (or D in automatic) and move forward.

In short, when the car is parked automatically, the car will control the steering wheel itself, but the driver remains in charge of moving and stopping. If at any time, for any reason, the driver decides to catch the steering wheel and intervene, the system will deactivate and give him full control.

Also, the driver receives the necessary information throughout the process when to stop, move forward or back, and the like.

More advanced systems

Different manufacturers use more or less advanced systems. Thus, in the most luxurious cars, the driver does not have to brake, as the car will do it instead, thanks to the collision avoidance system.

There are already fully autonomous automatic parking systems, where the driver does not even have to be in the vehicle, but is still waiting for serial application. One example is Ford, as you can see in the following presentation.

What about side parking?

The procedure is almost the same as for parallel parking, you just have to choose the option for parallel parking.

Is the automatic parking system more accurate than a human?

A good driver can “push” a car into a smaller space than almost any system currently available on the market. Also, a person can do it noticeably faster. The essence of such systems, however, is to help those who do not cope with parking, not to break records. The fact is that even very good drivers sometimes have difficulty parking a car they are not used to, especially when they are under pressure from other road users.

Which cars can be obtained?

Automatic parking systems are now available with compact class vehicles (Ford Focus VW golf, Kia cee'd…).

Read the user guide

If you purchased or plan to buy a car with this system, first familiarize yourself with its mode. Read the instruction manual that came with the car, find some low-traffic parking, and see how everything works in practice. Keep in mind that there are some limitations that you will just have to get used to.

Dragan Romcevic

Retrieved from: www.polovniautomobili.com

Leave a reply