VIDEO: Ford demonstrates automatic parallel parking
Click the image above to view the video after the jump
Ford's new Active Park Assist system generated plenty of discussion, ranging from those who berated the Dearborn company for following Toyota and those who thought Ford could do it better. Not having actually tried the system ourselves, we'll reserve judgement on how well it works. However, Ford has put up a video with Ali Jammoul, a Chief Engineer at the Blue Oval, demonstrating the system. In the demo it seems to work pretty well. Check it out for yourself after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
chconline 11:40AM (12/31/2008)
I doubt it works THAT much better than Lexus'. They all work well in company demos, but in reality isn't as awesome as you might think (See those videos regarding the Lexus self parking system on Youtube).
People should really learn to park themselves. It's not that hard, and 99% of the time it's faster than the car can do it for you.
Reply
cFoo 12:54PM (12/31/2008)
Yupe. Demo = marketing hoax.
I'm sick of this crap. If you cannot park your damn car you shouldn't be driving. What's next? an automatic lane changer?
The socialist mentality of this country is utterly disgusting. Spending money on safety such as developing ABS, airbag, emergency braking assist, etc... I can understand. But this crap? this is what they're going to waste the bailout money on? Sick. I won't feel sorry one bit if Ford doesn't last through 2009. I can't wake for GM and Chrysler to jump onto this bandwagon too. I can see the executives at GM all wetting their pants with excitement over a prospect of developing self-parking cars.
caddy-v 1:09PM (12/31/2008)
Um, cFoo, Ford did'nt take any "bailout" money in case you have'nt heard.
njguglie 1:54PM (12/31/2008)
@cFoo:
how is any automotive technology considerd socialist? Socialism is a social theory by which the community owns everything. Ford's parallel parking assist does not make that car owned by the collective.
chad.dawkins 2:29PM (12/31/2008)
Is socialism the new idiot buzzword for something they don't like? I don't see how this is a problem. If it keeps ONE person from hitting my car because they suck at parking then it's worth its weight in gold.
MichaelS 4:20PM (12/31/2008)
The difference is that you don't have to fiddle around with the display, using arrows to position your car into the space, like required on the LS460.
Ford's system is similar to the one in the VW Touran, which has a much simpler interface.
Ron 9:08PM (12/31/2008)
I am sure that most of us find parking easy. But it is a good technology for those with special needs, or someone who is shorter. Hopefully it becomes cheaper for those who really need it. Remember that there were cars that needed hand cranking and men did most of the driving. I see it as baby steps towards making driving and easy chore for those who don't like it :)
I think that it fits very well with the Lincoln's market, which is mainly people who would like to have a plush ride and have an easy driving experience.
Ben Poese 11:45AM (12/31/2008)
Oh good... the next step towards totally removing the driver from the controls...
Reply
Kattleox 3:18PM (12/31/2008)
Hey, you don't HAVE to use it. My preferred method of parking will always involve the gas pedal, the handbrake, 180 degrees, and 25 miles per hour. ;)
meh 11:46AM (12/31/2008)
You mean the driver still has to operate the gas and the brake? what kind of convenience is that?! and 15 to 20 seconds? who has time to wait that long! I mean come on! that's an eternity! that could cost you a good spot in line at the Starbucks!
Additionally, the driver still has to move the gear selector from "D" to "R" and back again???!!! whoa whoa WHOA! that is just asking WAAAAAAY too much there, Ford.
Look.....if you are so incompetent that you cannot perform a parallel park on your own, then you shouldn't be driving at all.....that's why it's in the drivers test, it's called a skill for a reason.....learn it, do it, or fail.
Reply
YouFaceTheTick 11:53AM (12/31/2008)
Parallel parking isn't in the driving tests in Ca.
jinsei888 12:45PM (12/31/2008)
@YouFaceTheTick
In San Francisco, CA it requires parallel parking. You stand corrected.
Stuka 12:53PM (12/31/2008)
Parallel parking is required for the test where I am in California as well.
PGAero 1:19PM (12/31/2008)
I had to parallel park for my driving test in CA too. Not that the driver's education system in this country is any good, but at least some people have to learn how to park.
Jason 2:11PM (12/31/2008)
parallel parking is required, you just don't have to pass it to get a license...which is utterly sad.
redcars 7:17PM (12/31/2008)
Can I use this on my driving test?
connor 11:55AM (12/31/2008)
anyone notice the paddle shifters on the steering wheel?
maybe for the top of the line ecoboast model of the mks.
Reply
JD 11:56AM (12/31/2008)
I agree with meh:
The car should brake/accelerate itself through out the parking process. Otherwise, do it yourself.
Another observation: When the car backs into the spot and you're feathering the brakes, what happens when it is ready to pull up to finish the parking. Does it chime "moving foward" and change gears itself?.
Reply
lnclnmk8 12:48PM (12/31/2008)
Well, when I went for the drivers test two years ago, I whipped that Toyota Prius into that spot with no effort at all.
Now I drive a '97 Lincoln Mark VIII, and at 18' it's a lot different than parallel parking a Prius. I have done it, even on Newbury St. in Boston, and have had no problems. But that same day I saw a MAN trying to parallel park his new Corolla (his family was with him) and he basically bounced off both cars around him. My Lincoln is a lot longer than his Corolla, yet I had no problem. And when I saw him, I though: "Wow, I wish Toyota would borrow Lexus' crappy parking assist, because it could do better than that guy." So, for some people, it is a good feature because they just can't do all of the driving manuevers. That doesn't mean they shouldn't be allowed to drive. Some kids can't read until the third grade, and that doesn't mean they shouldn't be educated.
Reply
j 12:04PM (12/31/2008)
That spot is huge, if you can't park your car into a spot that big yourself you probably shouldn't be driving.
Reply