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Even expert drivers find parking cars difficult and tiresome, especially in metros like Mumbai and Delhi but then, someone’s got to park the car. Parking woes have just become stronger with already clogged streets and construction of buildings eating into once available parking space. So, how would you fancy your car doing the running around for the spot and parking by itself? Impossible you say, could soon be possible says Valeo, a Paris-based supplier of autonomous vehicle devices.
Valeo is among the exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge innovations this week at the 21st World Congress of Intelligent Transport Systems in Detroit. Harold Barth, product marketing manager at Valeo, said its connected valet parking system could become a common feature on vehicles within 10 years. “We are making advances step by step,” said Barth, whose company supplies parking assist systems to major carmakers, including Ford. “What we want to demonstrate is the future of automatic parking where you can get out of your vehicle, walk away and use your time for something else.”
Valeo used a connected Land Rover to demonstrate its prototype on a simulated parking structure on Belle Isle. The vehicle, which was equipped with environmental sensors, cameras and a laser scanner, drove itself through the structure and into a vacant parking spot.
Well, there you have your answer. In another decade or so with a thumb swipe on a smartphone, your car will be able to drive into a parking deck, find an open spot and back into a space — all by itself.
However, there are hiccups that exist and hopefully in the coming years all these creases (read laws and policies) will be ironed out. One of the major impediments to this technology will be the legalisation regarding functioning of driverless cars in countries and states. The parking spots will have to be equipped with systems to communicate with cars. Then there needs to be an agreement between the auto industry with the mobilephone industry for the bandwidth and for vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.
India will most probably be one of the last countries to get this technology as we have a huge gap to cover namely infrastructure-wise. But were this system adapted on our streets, life would certainly become easier. What do you think? Do you think this automated valet parking technology will make life easier for us ?
Source: Windsor Star
