Parking Systems

Basic Description

Parking systems in a vehicle range from simple parking aids that detect objects and help the driver orient the vehicle to fully automatic systems capable of parallel parking in tight spots with little or no help from the driver. Parking systems generally employ acoustic and/or radar distance sensors that detect the presence or absence of other vehicles, walls or people in the vicinity of the vehicle. They may also employ imaging sensors that recognize curbs and painted lines on the pavement.

The figure above illustrates Ford's Active Park Assist. This system manipulates the steering automatically to assist the driver in parking. The parking system is activated by pressing a button on the instrument panel. It measures the distance between vehicles using ultrasonic sensors and determines if there is enough space for parking. It then operates the steering wheel automatically and the driver is asked to shift gears and operate the accelerator.

Some vehicles have fully automatic parking systems that are capable of actuating the throttle, steering and brakes on a vehicle without driver input. Audi has demonstrated a system that can be activated from a smart phone with no driver behind the wheel [12].

Sensors

vehicle speed sensor, steering wheel position sensor, optical imaging devices, acoustic distance sensors

Actuators

throttle, steering, brakes

Data Communications

CAN, LIN, etc…

Manufacturers

Bosch, Delphi, Denso, Delcan Technologies, Denso, LaneFX, TRW, Valeo

For More Information

[1] Intelligent Parking Assist System, Wikipedia.

[2] BMW Auto Park Assist, YouTube, March 3, 2008.

[3] Mercedes-Benz Active Parking, YouTube, Oct. 2008.

[4] Testing Ford’s Parallel Parking System, Lawrence Ulrich, New York Times, Jan. 13, 2009.

[5] Toyota Intelligent Parking Assist, YouTube, Feb. 23, 2009.

[6] Bosch Aims for Feet-off Auto Parking, Stuart Birch, Automotive Engineering International, Jan. 21, 2010.

[7] BMW Debuts New Parking Assistant in 2011 5-Series, Bengt Halvorson, the Car Connection, Jan. 25, 2010.

[8] 2012 Ford Focus Active Park Assist, YouTube, July 21, 2011.

[9] The Future of Intelligent Parking, Nate Berg, March 23, 2012.

[10] New Kia cee'd - Parallel Park Assist System, YouTube, May 31, 2011.

[11] 2012 Audi A6 - Park Assist, YouTube, Mar 30, 2012.

[12] Audi's Self-Parking Car: What's Stopping the Tech Getting on our Roads?, Moritz Jaeger, ZDNet, Jan. 18, 2013.