While a few cars are now able to steer themselves into a parallel parking space (albeit while the driver modulates the brake pedal), tomorrow’s models could well drop off a driver at the door of a parking garage and find an open spot all on its own.
Luxury automaker Audi is in the process of testing such a system in Germany that will enable future motorists to do just that. Activated via a Smartphone app, a central computer wirelessly guides the vehicle to the nearest available parking space, with laser sensors in the parking garage recording the car’s movements. For its part, the car monitors its surroundings and proximity to other vehicles and obstructions via an array of onboard ultrasonic sensors and video cameras.
Even better, the system would work the other way around, with the car able to automatically pull out of the space when summoned and wind its way back to the entrance to pick up its owner.
