CNBC's Phil LeBeau doesn't park the Lexus LS460... the LS460 parks the LS460
The Lexus LS460 is a technophile's dream car -- it hosts the first eight-speed transmission, a rear-view camera, 19-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and hard disk drive to store 4,000 songs... and it parks itself. CNBC's Phil LeBeau shows us how "hands-free" is really done in the video above.
We've chatted with fellow automotive journalists about the self-parking feature, and most have not been impressed -- and by their accounts, what you see in the video is the best-case scenario. By the time the driver lines up the car correctly, confirms the space in which the car is to be parked, and presses go, the drivers in the cars lined up behind him will be out of patience faster than you can say, "Weren't you supposed to learn this crap in driver's ed?"
[Source: CNBC via Jalopnik]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
bartman 7:51AM (9/26/2006)
women everywhere will love it... and all the men behind them will be cursing...
Reply
Justin 7:44AM (9/26/2006)
I found that pretty cool. Obviously there could be some improvement (ie its obvious the system is pretty particular about your closeness to the other cars, etc), but still, i can see alot of potential here.
Kinda freaky how the steering wheel moves on it's own; I'd love to know how much control you have over the brakes and steering while it's moving should it be necessary.
Reply
JackOfShadows 7:51AM (9/26/2006)
I hope they taught this car about Isaac Asimov's Laws of Robotics.
I'd hate to see this pre robotic car take over the streets.
Reply
Stoneman 8:10AM (9/26/2006)
Just what ever rich old biddy needs, now only if the car could drive it's self the old folk drivers issues would be solved.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
Reply
Martin 8:47AM (9/26/2006)
It's nice, but it's too slow!
I like full-speed-parking.
Reply
Carl Trimble 8:53AM (9/26/2006)
I will park the car myself thank you!
Reply
Leo 9:09AM (9/26/2006)
I can invision the system breaking down while parking and smashing the other car.
I wonder if the police will give the LS460 a ticket as they really did not do anything since the car was parking itself
maybe the driver will sue Lexus for the money to pay the ticket. heheh - I am not sure there are laws on this or not.
Reply
Sir Parks Alot 9:28AM (9/26/2006)
This feature is awesome, but as mentioned, it takes a little too long to park...now when my robotic sentinel car can park like this here I'll be the first to buy a car like this!
Reply
Sir Parks Alot 9:29AM (9/26/2006)
damm link did not show up...here it is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1TPaXHV3FM
Reply
Mustafa 11:09AM (9/26/2006)
Sweet! ...But also very slow from what the video shows. Also the spot was huge. I think those that have parallel parking somewhat down will never use this technology.
Reply
A Gupta 10:38AM (9/26/2006)
I thought I heard that you have to use the brakes and gas; it just turns for you.
Reply
That One Person 11:16AM (9/26/2006)
Dont you also have to hit some arrows on the small NAV screen to pick the best direction and spot?
While I think this technology is cool, I also think its totally pointless (it needs work). I could see cars being hit or parking spots being taken by the time the driver got this whole system set up. I guess its nice for people who cant parallel park (I have issues, so I find a parking garage). But other than that, I will park my own car.
Reply
AJ Quick 11:28AM (9/26/2006)
It looks pretty stupid.
I doubt the car has any idea how far from the curb it is, nor does it recenter itself in the spot. Basically it just turns the wheel and makes sure you don't hit the car behind you.
You could do that with the Lexus's reverse camera, and turn the wheel yourself.
-AJ Quick
http://www.AutoVendors.net/
Reply
sp 11:29AM (9/26/2006)
It pre-picks your spot, you just hit approve button... It is as fast as you let it, you only control the brakes....
If you check the video, it comes 1"-2" to the other car, so it is pretty damn accurate and no way you can park that carefully on your own.
Good luck parallel parking into tight spots, car the size of LS, at night... it aint gonna happen buddy.
Reply
S1500 12:38PM (9/26/2006)
Nice of them to demonstrate this in Dearborn, MI. Maybe some people from the big 3 were watching, and thus the hamster wheels in their head were churning.
Reply
RickDom 12:58PM (9/26/2006)
Well, it's not even like Toyota made it all themselves, if other companies want to pay for it, they can. I know they've made a Prius with this before too. It's an interesting idea, I'd never use it because I never have to parallel park, I just pull forward into curb-side spaces anway.
http://www.aisinworld.com/products/auto/info.html
Reply
JON 1:04PM (9/26/2006)
.This feature is for old ladies with bad eyesight.
Reply
Chet 1:41PM (9/26/2006)
Now, if they could just make it MERGE automatically...
Reply
Rick 8:57PM (9/26/2006)
YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME..this is what they are trying to entice buyers with? So Rich Ol' conservitive biddy's can brag the car parks itself....which takes five minutes mind you!! What's next...a car that wipes your @$$! Are we really becoming that lazy as a society that we can't park our own cars?
Reply
DPC car videos 2:22PM (9/26/2006)
I think people will loose their Patience and just park themselves.
Reply