Coming soon: car that parks itself

The Age ^ | August 20, 2003 | Toby Hagon

[yonif]

It is the next big thing in vehicle automation: the self-parking car.

In a revolutionary development for lazy and skill-deficient drivers, Toyota engineers in Japan have developed a car that can perform a perfect reverse park between two objects.

The system will be launched in Japanese showrooms late next month as an optional extra with the second generation Prius petrol-electric hybrid car, which sells for about $40,000. The system took three years to develop and is being touted as a step towards the ultimate in vehicular automation: the self-driving car.

The self-parking system uses a rear-mounted camera and a computer program to perform its task.

After electronically measuring a parking spot and marking out a "turn-in" point with a virtual flagpole, a computer turns the steering wheel automatically, swinging the rear of the car into the spot followed by the front. It can monitor white lines and gutters, ensuring no scraped wheels and making the driver look like an expert every time.

During a recent test drive by The Age, the system worked well, expertly missing vehicles and parking in perfect position. Toyota will not say whether the self-parking system is destined for other vehicles.

Chief engineer of the Prius project, Masahiro Inoue, said the system could ultimately steer the car and keep it in lanes during regular driving."It recognises the white lines, so technically we can do that," said Mr Inoue.

"But at the same time we have several issues to avoid when it comes to drivers. We have to overcome those situations."

The clever Toyota.

[Paul Atreides]

Millions of women just screamed "Hallelujah."

Putting on my flame-proof Stillsuit now.

[thoughtomator]

Don't you mean millions of insurace-paying husbands?

[Paul Atreides]

LOL! I have a spare Stillsuit, if you'd like one.

[Free the USA]

http://www.freerepublic.com/perl/bump-list

[norraad]

It is just a matter of math, after all.

Toyota knows how to maintain market share as the future closes in on the other car makin'Dinos.

Soon China will come on strong w/a $5000 basic buggy & all the rest will have to scramble out any wizbang gimmick to stand out & support their ridiculous prices.

[rightazrain]

Sorry, guys! The only thing missing today is decent Drivers' Education classes. This female, parallel parking, no problemo!

[JoeSixPack1]

[Paul Atreides]

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[rmmcdaniell]

There's hope yet for this Woman

[July 4th]

Far too many people should never have been given a driver's license. This is a great technological achievement, but unfortunately it gives people an excuse to never learn how to properly drive and park a car.

[Consort]

OK, Willie G., how many valet parker layoffs are we talking about?

[hadaclueonce]

now I can drink and drive!

[xJones]

In a revolutionary development for lazy and skill-deficient drivers, Toyota engineers in Japan have developed a car that can perform a perfect reverse park between two objects.

This is the big one! A self-parallel parking car! Brethren and cisterns, forget Paradise, for this is an upgrade.

After all, let's be honest. Some of us might have accidentally, just teensy-weensy jumped the curb a time or two - or worse - trying to manuever our cars. And it has nothing to do with being lazy or skill-deficient.....:)

[HitmanLV]

I learned to drive at the tender age of 34, and though I did flunk my drivers test three times, parallel parking was the one skill I took to almost immediately. Go figure, huh?

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the new list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Samwise]

Millions of women just screamed "Hallelujah."

Yep, and I am one of them. :^)

[Victoria Delsoul]

Ferrari, any time ;-)

[Diddle E. Squat]

The post between the garage doors at my parents house wishes many times over that my Mom could have had this for her car.