In 2010, we heard a lot about handheld parking applications, but in 2011 we may start hearing a lot more about parking apps embedded in cars, as part of vehicle communication systems.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Audi is demonstrating the latest version of its Car-2-X system, which will allow cars to communicate with transportation infrastructure as well as with other vehicles. Although this has a myriad of uses, from the parking perspective Audi claims the system will be able to guide drivers to vacant parking spaces.
Also related is Audi's "Travolution Project" which has been tested in the automaker's home city of Ingolstadt since 2006, allowing onboard payment of parking fees and an on-board monitor that allows the driver to see how many parking spots are still available.
Audi's long-term vision is for cars to drive - and park - themselves, by interacting with the environment. The first step on the way to autonomous autos is already available in Audi 2011 models - a parking system that helps drivers with parallel parking in reverse or parking at right-angles to the road. The system identifies suitable spaces either parallel to or at right-angles to the road, and then guides the car automatically into and out of parking spaces.
Pete Goldin
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