Parking Pilot is an electronic parking assistance device that uses ultrasonography and is engaged automatically while driving forward. The technology is capable of working at speeds of up to 22 mph (35 km/h). When in use, the system locates and measures parallel and perpendicular parking spaces on both sides of the car in the direction of movement. When Parking Pilot is turned on, the multimedia system displays available parking spaces. The emblem is seen on the multifunction display. The arrows indicate which side of the road has free parking. The parking space and direction can be chosen as desired. Park Pilot Assist System has a compact design and is composed of an ultrasonic signal with a frequency of 40 kHz and the sensor then snaps to reception to pick up the sound waves echoed off the object, the system works on ‘echo sounder’ and is run by ultrasonic sensors. The system calculates the distance between the sensor and the obstruction between generating the signal and receiving the reflection.
How is this system helpful?
Unsuccessful parking efforts are aggravating and nerve-racking. The park assist pulls vehicles into any suitable parking place in seconds – stress-free. The vehicle is parked at the push of a button by the system. The only thing the driver has to do is accelerate and brake. When the driver pushes the park assist button, the system calculates the best path into the spot, the necessary steering motions, and the number of maneuvers required. The park assists then take over: the driver lets go of the steering wheel and carefully accelerates and brakes to handle the parking operation. Furthermore, the assistance assists in pulling out of the parking area. It guides the car into a position where the driver may safely and quickly exit the space. The driver keeps a watch on traffic and slows or accelerates as the system directs.
Is this system suitable for Indian conditions?
To be honest, unless you often parallel park, the answer is no. Even so, with repeated practice, you’ll be able to zip in and out of parallel bays in a fraction of the time it takes the car to analyze the space and execute the maneuver. The very tiny number of times you would presumably utilize it (unless you park a large car like 7 Series in a tight, single garage, in which case you should reconsider your priorities) renders the exorbitant expense associated with this technology totally unjustifiable. On top of that, the system requires parking spaces that are well marked and a decent parking discipline is followed. In countries like India, where the cars are mostly parked in a haphazard manner, you cannot expect these systems to work in a flawless manner.
Cars with pilot Park System in India
Cars from BMW such as the 7 series and X5 have this technology in them. The parking assistance in the 7 series determines whether the parking location you choose is suitable for the car. If everything is in order, the car will navigate itself into parking while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. There is also a remote control that may be used to pull the automobile out of the parking spot. Mercedes Benz E class also has this feature, If there is a small gap between the door and the neighboring object, the new autonomous parking technology allows the automobile to self-park in the designated region. In India, the Park Assist technology is offered in a wide range of vehicles, beginning with the VW Passat, Ford Endeavour, Volvo XC 40, and progressing upwards. In Park Assist, however, the system merely takes over the steering controls; the driver is still responsible for controlling the accelerator, brakes, and gear shift. Complete Autonomous Parking entails the system assuming complete control of the vehicle and parking it without any driver involvement. This function, in my opinion, is best executed by the BMW 7 Series.
Some newer models are also now coming with park pilot but it remains to be seen how this will be useful in an Indian context
