Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Detroit 2009: Ford demos Park Assist system]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-ford-demos-park-assist-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-ford-demos-park-assist-system/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/12/detroit-2009-ford-demos-park-assist-system/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Lexus introduced the first parallel parking system in a production vehicle when it launched the 2007 Lexus LS460. Ford will be second to the game with its new Park Assist system, though the Blue Oval would argue that their system is easier to operate. To use Park Assist, all you need to do is find a spot where you want to park, hit the park assist button behind the shifter, and keep driving until you're prompted to stop and shift into reverse. From there, apply the gas and the brakes while the system steers for you. That's it.

We were able to demo Park Assist in an MKS with Ecoboost, and you can see the motion picture for yourself by clicking play on the video above. The system is smack you on the forehead easy, and it'll be available first on the MKS and MKT this summer.

Detroit 2009: Ford demos Park Assist system originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ecoboostmkspark assistParkAssistvideoMon, 12 Jan 2009 17:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Parking assist one-upsmanship: New VW system doesn't need driver in car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/parking-assist-one-upsmanship-new-vw-system-doesnt-need-driver/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/parking-assist-one-upsmanship-new-vw-system-doesnt-need-driver/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/23/parking-assist-one-upsmanship-new-vw-system-doesnt-need-driver/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The honchos at VW decided that Park Assist (PA) wasn't enough. That's where the car parallel parks itself while you twiddle your thumbs behind the wheel, and when the Fasten Seat Belt sign is extinguished you can get out and go on about your business. The latest development from VW is called Park Assist Vision (PAV), and it will park the car for you in any kind of spot -- parallel or perpendicular -- and you don't even need to be in the car.

A PAV-equipped car is ringed with cameras and ultrasonic sensors, and when you find a spot you want, you select it on a touchscreen. You place the car in "P" and get out if you have that much faith in technology not to scratch your paint. Your remote control keyfob tells the car what to do from then on, and the car parks itself, shuts down and locks itself up, as any happy android car should.

PAV is still in development, but it's a neat idea. It could especially come in handy when trying to slip into one of those ever-shrinking "compact" parking spaces, since it's so hard to get out of the car once you get in the space. Now if they could develop a feature that actually locates available parking spaces for you, we'd be in business.

[Source: Autocar]

Parking assist one-upsmanship: New VW system doesn't need driver in car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>driver aiddriver aidsDriverAidDriverAidspark assistpark assist visionParkAssistParkAssistVisionparkingtechnologyvolkswagenvwWed, 23 Apr 2008 17:27:00 EST