Description and principle of operation of the automatic parking system

Parking a car is perhaps the most common maneuver that causes difficulties for drivers, especially inexperienced ones. But not so long ago, an automatic parking system began to be installed in modern cars, designed to significantly simplify the life of motorists.

What is Intelligent Auto Parking System

The automatic parking system is a complex of sensors and receivers. They scan the space and provide secure parking with or without driver involvement. Automatic parking can be performed both perpendicular and parallel.

Volkswagen was the first to develop such a system. In 2006, the innovative Park Assist technology was introduced on the Volkswagen Touran. The system has become a real breakthrough in the automotive industry. The autopilot performed parking maneuvers on its own, but the options were limited. After 4 years, engineers were able to improve the system. Nowadays, it is found in many brands of modern cars.

The main goal of automatic parking is to reduce the number of minor accidents in the city, as well as to help drivers park their cars in tight spaces. The car park is switched on and off by the driver independently, if necessary.

Main Components

The intelligent automatic parking system works in conjunction with various devices and car components. Most car manufacturers develop their own systems, but they all have certain elements in their composition, including:

• Control block;
• ultrasonic sensors;
• on-board computer;
• executive devices.

Not every car can be equipped with a parking function. For optimal performance, electric power steering and an automatic transmission should be included. The sensors are similar to parktronic sensors, but have an increased range. Different systems differ in the number of sensors. For example, the well-known Park Assist system has 12 sensors (four in front and four in the rear, the rest on the sides of the car).

How the system works

When the system is activated, the search for a suitable location begins. The sensors scan the space at a distance of 4,5-5 meters. The car moves in parallel with a number of other cars and as soon as a place is found, the system will notify the driver about it. The quality of space scanning depends on the speed of movement.

In parallel parking, the driver must choose the side from which to look for a suitable space. Also, the parking mode must be turned on 3-4 meters to the desired location and drive these distances for scanning. If the driver missed the suggested place, the search starts over.

Next, the parking process itself begins. Depending on the design, there can be two parking modes:

• auto;
• semi-automatic.

В semi-automatic mode the driver controls the vehicle speed with the brake pedal. There is enough idle speed for parking. During parking, the steering and stability control are monitored by the control unit. The information display screen prompts the driver to stop or shift gear for forward or reverse. By maneuvering using power steering, the system will easily park the car correctly and safely. At the end of the maneuver, a special signal will signal a successful operation.

Auto mode allows you to completely exclude the participation of the driver. It will be enough just to press a button. The system itself will find a place and perform all the maneuvers. The power steering and automatic transmission will be under the control of the control unit. The driver can even get out of the car and observe the process from the side, starting and turning off the system from the control panel. You can also switch to semi-automatic mode at any time.

Unfavorable conditions for the operation of the system

Like any technique, the parking system can make mistakes and work incorrectly.

1. The position of neighboring cars can affect the accuracy of determining the parking spot. Optimally, they should be parallel to the curb and not exceed the deviation relative to each other, as well as to the parking line of 5 °. As a result, for correct parking, the angle between the car and the parking line should not exceed 10 °.
2. When searching for a parking space, the side distance between parked cars must be at least 0,5 meters.
3. The presence of a trailer for neighboring vehicles can also lead to an error in determining the location.
4. High ground clearance on large cars or trucks can cause scanning errors. Sensors may simply not notice it and regard it as a blank space.
5. A bicycle, motorcycle or trash can in a parking lot at a certain angle may not be visible to the sensors. This also includes cars with a non-standard body and shape.
6. Weather conditions such as wind, snow or rain can distort ultrasonic waves.

Car parking systems from different manufacturers

Following Volkswagen, other automakers began to actively develop similar systems, but the principle and procedure for their operation is similar.

• Volkswagen - Park Assist;
• Audi - Parking System;
• BMW – Remote Park Assist System;
• Opel - Advanced Park Assist;
• Mercedes / Ford - Active Park Assist;
• Lexus/Toyota – Intelligent Parking Assist System;
• KIA - SPAS (Smart Parking Assistant System).

Advantages and disadvantages

Like many innovations, this feature has its pros and cons. The pluses include the following:

• correct and safe car parking even without sufficient driver skills;
• it takes less time to find a parking space and to park. The car finds a parking place by itself and can park in a space where 20 cm remains to neighboring cars;
• you can control the parking at a distance using the control panel;
• the system starts and stops by pressing one button.

But there are also disadvantages:

• cars with an automatic parking system are more expensive in comparison with similar cars without it;
• for the system to work, the car must correspond to the technical equipment (power steering, automatic transmission, etc.);
• in the event of a breakdown or loss of system elements (remote control, sensors), restoration and repair will be expensive;
• the system does not always correctly determine the possibilities for parking and for its correct operation certain conditions must be met.

Automatic parking is in many ways a breakthrough in the automotive industry. It makes parking much easier in the busy rhythm of large cities, but it also has its drawbacks and operating conditions. Undoubtedly, this is a useful and practical feature of modern cars.