A key feature of the upgraded system is its Memory Parking Assist (MPA), which sees the vehicle learn a process executed by the driver in the path learning mode. The driver can then execute this same learned procedure by activating the feature in the same parking space it was initially used in.

At the foundation of this parking technology is its fusion of video-based sensors, merging ultrasonic sensors and SVM (Surround View Monitor) cameras. At the same time, the system also implements advanced technologies that simultaneously measure vehicle location and maps using obtained information. Together, these techniques allow driving assistance features to be supported at a storage distance of up to 100 meters.

The system’s Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA) has also been upgraded. Today, the RSPA recognizes parking spaces using ultrasonic sensors and supports hands-free perpendicular and parallel parking. However, in order for these ultrasonic sensors to be used, there must be another vehicle nearby. In adopting video-based sensor fusion, Hyundai Mobis was able to add a parking line recognition feature to upgraded RSPA – enabling it to support autonomous parking even in an empty parking space without surrounding vehicles, recognizing the parking lines.

Following the development of its MPS 1.0P system, Hyundai Mobis will continue its research and development to help it achieve fully unmanned autonomous parking (AVP: Auto Valet Parking).

The service experience begins through the Mercedes me smartphone app (available for iOS and Android devices), where the user books a parking space ahead of their visit to the airport. On arriving at the parking garage, they drive to a pre-assigned drop-off point before exiting the vehicle. Once they and any other occupants have departed, the app authorizes the start of the autonomous parking maneuver. At the same time, the parking system ensures the vehicle’s route is clear and that the necessary technical requirements for its journey are met. If those checks prove successful, the user receives a push notification from the app informing them that the system has taken control of the vehicle. The vehicle then autonomously drives to and enters the parking space, where it stays until the user’s return. On their return, the app is used again to summon the car, while the system helps it drive to a pre-determined pick-up point.

Supporting this experience from start to finish is the pairing of Mercedes-Benz’s Intelligent Parking Pilot feature and Bosch’s autonomous infrastructure. This infrastructure largely consists of sensors placed around the P6 parking garage that monitor the driving corridor and its surroundings, sending out information that will help the vehicle navigate it. Upon receiving this data, the vehicle converts it into a set of driving instructions. It is this connectivity, and Mercedes-Benz’s technology, that allows the vehicle to navigate the parking space and ramps to reach different stories independently. It can also cease navigation if an obstacle is detected along the way (resuming once the route becomes clear).

Mercedes-Benz and Bosch’s plans to commercialize the technology follows a trial period that began in 2019, when the firms obtained an autonomous testing permit. Over the course of this trial, development vehicles performed standard, everyday, parking tasks without human supervision. These tests took place at the Mercedes-Benz Museum, also situated in Stuttgart.

With the new permit, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz can now scale these operations up to a commercial level, occurring with privately owned vehicles at the P6 parking garage. While citing the 2021 enactment of a law permitting L4 driving use cases by the German government as a key factor in its development, the companies also highlighted that the system was implemented with support from the KBA and the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.

While a launch date for their autonomous parking service has not yet been confirmed, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz are looking to gradually roll it out. The first models to benefit from it will be variants of the OEM’s S-Class and EQS vehicles built after July 2022 equipped with Intelligent Park Pilot. Offered as part of the OEM’s Mercedes me connect suite of connected services, the feature was showcased earlier this year at a press event in Los Angeles. At the time a release date was not advised due to both firms awaiting regulatory approval. When it does become available for the OEM’s customers in Germany, it will appear in the services menu of the Mercedes me app – ready for activation.

In order to realize the ultimate wish of the mobility society – “zero fatalities and injuries in traffic accidents”―the NX adopts the evolved Lexus Safety System +. By expanding the detection range of the millimeter wave radar and monocular camera, we have enhanced the performance of each function and added new functions to assist on ordinary roads. The aim is to prevent accidents, further reduce traffic fatalities and injuries, and ease the burden on drivers.

In addition, the NX is equipped with Advanced Park, an advanced driving support technology developed based on the Mobility Teammate Concept, to support safe, secure and smooth parking. Furthermore, a new function has been added to allow remote parking using a smartphone. In addition, automatic door-opening cancellation (Safe Exit Assist), which is linked to the Blind Spot Monitor sensor and e-latch system, supports safe and secure exit. For added convenience, a digital key that allows the driver to operate the car from a smartphone is also available.

The support situations have been expanded to include in perpendicular parking situations, forward parking, backing out of a parking space, and pulling out of a parking space. In addition, by operating a smartphone with a special application installed from outside the vehicle, the driver carrying a smart key can remotely parallel park, parallel park, and exit the vehicle. The system also supports forward and backward movement when removing luggage from the trunk.

The newly developed AVP delivers an advanced Level 4 autonomous driving experience based on the integration of vehicle and road-integrated technologies. Fixed sensory equipment such as lasers, radar and communications devices in parking areas can identify and track vehicle and obstacle positions, send this information via 5G to the vehicle and guide it to a safe parking space. Drivers will be able to exit their car anywhere in the parking area and leave the car to park itself autonomously. Upon returning, drivers will be able to summon the vehicle to their current location using a mobile app and drive away.

The integrated system of AVP can overcome the challenges autonomous vehicles face at underground parking lots with no GPS signal, blind spots and tight turning circles. This makes HiPhi X the industry leader in this area.

Equipped with this technology, the HiPhi X will debut at the 2020 Beijing Auto Show, becoming the world’s first mass-produced smart electric vehicle to achieve Level 4 fully autonomous parking.

Aside from the AVP system, the newly-launched autopilot system of HiPhi X also puts user safety at the forefront of development. The system employs the same principles as aircraft safety design, using a dual-redundancy system meaning backup components ensure the reliability of the system even in the case of single-component malfunction. This system can start, stop, turn and drive the vehicle within a 0-130km/h speed range. This allows drivers to take their foot, hands, eyes and attention away from the road and is achieved by 24 sensors placed throughout the car (including smart front view and surround-view cameras, millimeter-wave radar, ultrasonic radar, driver status detection DMS cameras and more). This together with high-precision mapping technology allows HiPhi X to achieve Level 4 autonomous parking making it the first production model to achieve this in China.

In 2019, as part of its strategic blueprint of the Smart Vehicle, Smart Road and Smart City ecosystem, Human Horizons established the world’s first smart-road capable of V2X driving in Yancheng, Jiangsu province. The team also launched a 5G vehicle-road-city integration demonstration project in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Park. With the launch of AVP and its application on parking lots and highways, Human Horizons’ vision of connected, autonomous and smart mobility is one step closer.

• Partnership between global engineering firm, HORIBA MIRA and Coventry University will create ‘Trusted Autonomous Parking’ (Park-IT)

Part of Testbed UK – coordinated by Zenzic, funded by HORIBA MIRA and the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), via Innovate UK.

In a major leap towards autonomous vehicle adoption, the UK’s first facility to test and support the development of automated parking solutions is under construction in the Midlands.

‘Trusted Autonomous Parking’ (Park-IT) is being delivered by Nuneaton-based global engineering firm, HORIBA MIRA, in partnership with Coventry University.

As part of the project, HORIBA MIRA will work with Coventry University to develop a multi-storey car park, on-road parking bays and parking lot environments on its Proving Ground, providing real-world parking situations to support the development of self-parking solutions.

The parking areas will be co-located in the HORIBA MIRA City Circuit, a safe, comprehensible and fully controllable purpose-built ‘cityscape’ test track environment, allowing verification of the transition from an urban driving environment into a dedicated parking facility. The facility will be supported by a ‘digital twin’ so users can replicate parking scenarios in simulation, enabling a wide range of CAV driving and parking scenarios to be tested in a virtual environment before being validated at the facility.

Park-IT is one of eight funded projects that create Testbed UK led by the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV) and Zenzic the self-driving UK hub organisation, which was created by Government and industry to accelerate the self-driving revolution in the UK.

Self-driving parking will bring significant benefits to the public through the services it will enable, such as autonomous valet parking. In order to realise those benefits, challenges within the self-driving environment – tight locations, restricted visibility, lack of GPS (in covered locations), must be addressed. Park-IT will provide a world-class location to solve those challenges, and test innovative services, in a safe and configurable environment.

This latest activity will play an instrumental role in ensuring the functional performance and safety of self-parking vehicles, as the Government continues to push ahead with its ambition to see autonomous vehicles on public roads at scale, in the foreseeable future.

The Park-IT project follows recent success for the Midlands-based duo, who are also delivering TIC-IT; a bespoke test track on HORIBA MIRA’s Proving Ground. TIC-IT will be a safe setting in which CAVs can be tested to the limits of controllability.  

Bosch and Daimler have reached a milestone on the way to automated driving: the two companies have now obtained approval from the relevant authorities in Baden-Württemberg for their automated parking system in the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage in Stuttgart. The automated valet parking service is accessed via a smartphone app and requires no safety driver. This makes it the world’s first fully automated driverless SAE Level 4 parking function to be officially approved for everyday use.

Playing it safe: two partners with a common objective

From the very beginning, Bosch and Daimler’s top priority for the driverless parking service was safety. Since there is as yet no official approval process for automated driving functions that do not require a driver, the local authorities – the Stuttgart regional administrative authority and the state of Baden-Württemberg’s transportation ministry – oversaw the project along with experts from the German technical inspection service TÜV Rheinland from the outset. Their aim was to assess the operating safety of the automotive and parking-garage technology.

The result is a comprehensive safety concept with appropriate testing and approval criteria that can be applied beyond this pilot project. In the concept, the developers defined how the driverless vehicle detects pedestrians and other cars in its path and reliably comes to a halt when it encounters an obstacle. They also set up secure communications between all system components and took steps to ensure the reliable activation of the parking maneuver.

The technology behind driverless parking

Drive in to the parking garage, get out, and send the car to a parking space just by tapping on a smartphone screen – automated valet parking has no need for a driver. Once the driver has left the parking garage to go about their business, the car drives itself to an assigned space and parks. Later, the car returns to the drop-off point in exactly the same way. This process relies on the interplay between the intelligent parking garage infrastructure supplied by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz automotive technology. Bosch sensors in the parking garage monitor the driving corridor and its surroundings and provide the information needed to guide the vehicle. The technology in the car converts the commands from the infrastructure into driving maneuvers. This way, cars can even drive themselves up and down ramps to move between stories in the parking garage. If the infrastructure sensors detect an obstacle, the vehicle stops immediately.

Project milestones

Bosch and Daimler started developing fully automated driverless parking in 2015, and in the summer of 2017, their pilot solution in the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage in Stuttgart reached an important milestone: automated valet parking in real conditions, with and without drivers at the wheel, was presented to the public for the first time. This premiere was followed by an intensive testing and start-up phase. Starting in 2018, museum visitors could use the parking service live, accompanied by trained safety personnel, and share their experience. One aspect of the pilot project involved testing lighting concepts on the vehicles. Turquoise lighting indicates that a vehicle is in automated driving mode and informs passers-by and other road users that the vehicle is driving itself. The insights from these tests are reflected in the recently issued SAE standard 3134. Obtaining final approval from the authorities is a further major milestone for Bosch and Daimler: soon, interested parties will be able to experience the innovative valet parking service live in daily operation in the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage without additional supervision from a safety driver.

In major European cities, such as London and Frankfurt, motorists are looking for an average of 67 hours per year for free parking. The additional fuel costs incurred in the annoying search for parking space, accumulate for each motorist on average more than 1,250 euros. The other road users also feel this: Experts estimate that the search for free parking spaces is responsible for about 30 percent of city traffic. The problem is not solely caused by the lack of available parking spaces. Data from the UK shows that the available parking space is only half full in many cities.

The cooperation partners Ford and Vodafone are now testing a new mobile radio technology that will facilitate the search for parking spaces in inner cities in the future. A digital parking guidance system always informs the driver in the car about the number of free parking spaces in the car parks in the area. The technology then navigates the driver directly to the free parking spaces. That saves time. And that relieves the city traffic.

Real-time information on the display in the dashboard

Thanks to the V2X mobile technology, cars receive all the road condition and car park information from a central computer system. If there is a traffic accident on the route to the free parking lot or if a parking garage is suddenly busy, the driver receives directly on the display in the dashboard the recommendations for alternative parking spaces to drive.

Mobile radio technology enables further application

• The cooperation partners Ford and Vodafone are researching further networked application scenarios for the KoMoD project that will relieve the burden on the roads:
• Traffic light assistance systems inform motorists about the duration of red and green phases of traffic lights. This can avoid the sudden deceleration of red traffic lights, increase safety, reduce fuel consumption and optimize traffic flow. Because drivers can adjust the speeds ahead.
• Tunnel information systems provide drivers with advance information about lane closures, speed limits or slow-moving vehicles in tunnels.
• Networked Vario panels along the main arteries provide up-to-date information on major events that may affect local traffic. These include, for example, exhibitions, concerts or football matches with many spectators.
• Intelligent traffic control systems on the highway improve the overall traffic flow by adjusting speed limits in the short term.
• The smart traffic sign recognition sends speed and danger information via mobile phone directly to the cars. While the traffic sign recognition with cameras in many vehicles is present, the operation in bad weather or surrounded by large vehicles is restricted in question. The transfer of traffic sign information to the vehicle via a cellular connection guarantees from the sign that all drivers see important safety information.
• The bad weather alert transmits current weather conditions (eg sudden heavy rain) automatically from one vehicle to all cars in the area. For example, if a vehicle’s automatic wipers detect rain, that information is shared directly with other vehicles.

The new APS platform is based on Ambarella’s CV22AQ CVflow computer vision chip. Combined with Longhorn’s production-proven ultrasonic sensors, 360° around view monitoring (AVM) technologies, and visual perception algorithms, the platform delivers rich and highly accurate computer vision features, including parking space detection, parking line recognition, lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking (AEB), vehicle identification, obstacle classification, and map construction

The pilot in Beijing demonstrated Automated Valet Parking’s upgraded and more practical, real-world functionality. At the event, two vehicles were tested simultaneously to mirror the unique and complex traffic conditions found in contemporary Chinese cities. Both vehicles were also able to navigate to a service area that could be equipped with a diverse range of facilities in the future. These might include charging infrastructure, car washing stations, express package pick-up and other features designed to meet the unique needs of Chinese customers.

Source: Daimler

New laws introduced yesterday (16 May 2018) will mean that from next month drivers will be able to use remote control parking on British roads.

Changes to the Highway Code and relevant regulations were consulted on earlier this year and received overwhelming support from a range of groups including manufacturers, insurance groups and haulage companies.

Developments like remote control parking and motorway assist have the potential to transform car travel for those with mobility challenges, unlocking tight parking spaces and using computers to help driver accuracy on the road.

The updates will provide clarity for motorists about how the technologies can be used, and allow the increased use of features like cruise control, providing significant advantages for drivers.

With gadgets like these already available on some vehicle models, the updates see the law moulding to the modern driving world, making sure drivers are ready to use their new technology safely and ensuring the law is flexible for future breakthroughs.

Jesse Norman, Transport Minister said:

It’s encouraging to see the strong support for these innovations from a range of stakeholders. We will continue to review our driving laws, in order to ensure drivers can enjoy the potential of these new tools safely.

The changes are part of a package of work to ensure UK road laws are fit to support automated driving technology as they develop and provide clarity on new use cases.

The government also recently tasked the Law Commission with a detailed review of driving laws, along with planned updates to the code of practice to ensure that as technology develops the UK remains one of the best places in the world to develop, test and drive self-driving vehicles.

This builds on previous consultations on automated driving, and also the recently published Industrial Strategy, which designated the future of mobility as one of the 4 ‘grand challenges’. This strategy, along with changes to our regulatory framework, will help realise the government’s desire to see fully self-driving cars on the UK roads by 2021.

Further information

It is important to note that while advanced driver assistance technology will benefit British road users, drivers must continue to maintain overall control of their vehicle.

The remote-control function may be used in a variety of ways, from a key fob issued by the manufacturer, to an app on a device such as a mobile phone.

In addition, the Highway Code rules will be changed so clarity is given on both the use of remote control parking, and driver assistance systems that can control aspects of driving such as changing lanes on the motorway.

The changes proposed will update Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regulation 110.

Currently the regulation stipulates that drivers may not hold a mobile device while in their vehicle. The proposed update will to allow drivers to use their remote control parking device. They will need to be within 6 metres of their vehicle. These updates will then be reflected in the Highway Code.

Source: Government of UK

STEER has built the first fully-autonomous parking technology to transform everyday cars into driverless vehicles. The first application of STEER’s technology is a Level 4, highly autonomous and cybersecure parking solution – drivers simply exit the car at a destination, and the car parks itself in a designated parking lot. When consumers are ready to go, just summon the car via a mobile app.

STEER KEY DIFFERENTIATORS:

• First and only Level-4, highly-autonomous parking solution
• Transforms everyday cars into driverless vehicles that self-park in designated lots
• First to market a full plug + play through native autonomous control platform
• STEER uses existing technology in vehicle and will not override the system
• STEER is built-in with fail-safe technology
• Compatible in models 2012 or newer

The Merriweather District, a Howard Hughes Corporation project, will be the first high-density, mixed-use neighborhood to adopt STEER and power a truly tech-forward experience for residents, businesses and consumers.

Source: Steer

The autonomous parking function being publicly demonstrated for the first time in Hamburg has already left the research lab and is currently at an advanced stage of development. It is due to be ready to order for some initial Volkswagen Group vehicles from the start of the next decade.

In the first stage it will be possible to use autonomous parking in selected multi-storey car parks in an exclusive traffic flow, i.e. in separate areas of the car park not accessible to people. Before operation in exclusive traffic begins, the autonomous parking system is being extensively tested: thousands of parking procedures in different places around the world are being performed and analysed. In parallel with this safeguarding of the system through simulations is also taking place.

The next stage will be operation in mixed traffic, i.e. vehicles parking and moving autonomously in the same areas of the car park as cars with drivers. And the vision is clear: to have vehicles parking autonomously in all car parks, including public ones, such as outside supermarkets.

The vehicles with the autonomous parking function will all be equipped with an active surroundings recognition system. This is able to recognise objects and react accordingly, be that by going around them, braking or completely stopping. Vehicles are equipped for this with a sensor set, including, for instance, ultrasound, radar and cameras. The data is processed in a central control unit in the car.

In the multi-storey car park the car uses map data to drive on its own accord to a vacant parking space. Simple pictorial markers put up in the car park provide the vehicles with a means of orientation.

One of the trials of autonomous parking is currently being run in Hamburg: as part of the partnership between the Volkswagen Group and the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche brands are trialling autonomous parking at Hamburg Airport. The brands are pooling their know-how with the aim of quickly getting the new function ready for use in production vehicles across all three brands. The brands bring with them many years of experience from the development of a range of parking functions. They are also bringing together their latest expertise in relation to autonomous driving.

Volkswagen is turning your own boot into your delivery address
With “Volkswagen We” the brand is even now already extending their portfolio of services through online functions, services and apps. Over the next few years this range will be significantly expanded, making numerous additional services available to Volkswagen customers. The “We Park” app, which is already available and highly popular, is one example. “We Deliver” is another. With these services the car does not just simply become digital, it simultaneously acts as the interface for increasingly more areas of life. With the “We Deliver” service users will in future have parcels that they order online delivered directly to their car. The service has already been tested in Berlin as part of a pilot phase. The Volkswagen’s boot acts here as the delivery address. The vehicle’s position is given with the order. The courier uses GPS data to pin down the location of the freely accessible parked car within a radius of 300 metres and is given one-time, secure access to the boot. The aim is that in future it is not just deliveries that will be possible. The intention is that couriers should be able to collect returns and franked parcels too.

Highly connected, automated and electrified: into the future with Audi AI
On the way to fully automated driving functions and the vision of autonomous driving, the Audi of the future is going to offer even more: continuously further enhanced vehicle intelligence is being joined by a high level of interaction intelligence. For it is not only on the road that the car of the future has great potential for saving time and providing added convenience: in specially designated areas, known as ‘Audi AI Zones’, an Audi will in future take care of a variety of different things autonomously – without the driver being present. If, for example, a travelling salesman leaves his Audi in a marked area (Handover Zone), the car is then able to drive independently and with no driver to various service facilities, such as a car wash, a filling station or indeed a shirt laundry service. The Audi, which thanks to Audi AI is both intelligent and connected with its surroundings, also finds a parking space itself and steers itself precisely to it. At the desired time it is back in the Handover Zone ready to continue the journey. The driver can track the car’s actions at any time via an app and also add new services.

Porsche: Park & Charge – fully automatic charging while the car is parked

This is how Park & Charge works: as soon as the electric car or hybrid model has parked up fully autonomously at a charging point, vehicle and charging robot communicate via WLAN. The vehicle’s charging cap is automatically opened, the charging robot’s arm moves forward and establishes the connection between electric mains and on-board charger. Afterwards, the vehicle automatically parks in a different parking space, thus freeing up the charging point for the next electric car.

Source: Volkswagen Group

Bosch and the Aachen-based automaker e.GO have agreed to collaborate on automatic valet parking service.

Bosch will handle the infrastructure technology in the parking garage and will work with e.GO to integrate the start-up’s vehicles into the automatic valet parking service. The first stage will see automated valet parking implemented using up to 12 of e.GO’s Life electric cars. These cars are part of e.GO’s fleet, which the company makes available to its workforce for business trips and so they can present the automated valet parking service.

In the second stage, Bosch and e.GO aim to improve parking-space utilization in the parking garage with the help of automated valet parking.

This is how it works: drivers simply leave their car in a drop-off area at the entrance to the parking garage. Using a smartphone app, they then instruct it to make its own way through the parking garage to a vacant parking space. Later, they instruct the car to meet them at the pick-up area in exactly the same way. Drivers do not need to monitor the procedure; instead they can leave the parking garage while their car is still on its way to the parking space. What makes this possible is intelligent infrastructure. Bosch sensors in the parking garage monitor the driving corridor and its surroundings and provide the information needed to guide the vehicle. The technology in the car safely converts the commands from the infrastructure into driving maneuvers and stops the vehicle in good time in the event of any obstacles or if people cross its path.

Bosch and e.GO want to involve the German certification authority TÜV and local authorities in their collaboration from the outset to ensure reliable operation of the vehicle and parking garage technology.

For Bosch, the collaboration that has now begun with e.GO is the company’s second automated valet parking project. Mercedes-Benz is the pilot partner for the solution. At the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage in Stuttgart, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz have already made automated valet parking a reality, presenting it to the general public in the summer of 2017. Above all, Bosch and Mercedes-Benz want to gather experience of how users interact with driverless vehicles and how well such vehicles are received.

To this end, the two companies are about to launch what they are calling an “experience tour” in the next few weeks. On the experience tour, an expert will accompany interested guests on a ride in a driverless car in the Mercedes-Benz Museum parking garage, explaining the technology and answering questions.

Source: Bosch

Jaguar Land Rover’s self-driving cars can find spaces by themselves and park without any driver input.

The self-driving valet demonstration is a step towards making self-driving cars an everyday reality, with technology that removes stress from urban driving.

It took place on open public roads in Milton Keynes as part of Jaguar Land Rover’s work with UK Autodrive, a consortium testing self-driving vehicles and connected car technologies.

Jaguar Land Rover has also developed connected technology to help speed up the integration of automated driving features. The tech allows cars to ‘talk’ to each other and the surrounding environment, giving drivers the right information when they need it and helping the car react more quickly. The company has tested two features in Milton Keynes: Emergency Vehicle Warning and Electronic Emergency Brake Light.

Emergency Vehicle Warning (EVW) alerts drivers when an emergency vehicle is approaching and indicates which direction it is coming from. Electronic Emergency Brake Light (EEBL) gives a warning when another connected car brakes heavily – potentially giving drivers several additional seconds to avoid a possible collision.

Jaguar Land Rover is developing fully- and semi-automated vehicle technologies to offer customers a choice of an engaged or automated drive, while maintaining an enjoyable and safe driving experience. The company’s vision is to make the self-driving car viable in the widest range of real-life, on- and off-road driving environments and weather.

Source: Jaguar Land Rover

The new A6 with new and refined driver assistance systems sets new standards in the luxury class. These include the parking pilot and the garage pilot, which are set to extend the range of equipment during the course of the year: They autonomously maneuver the Sedan into and out of a parking space or garage. The driver can get out of the car before activating and monitoring the process using the myAudi app on their smartphone. To do so, the driver must continuously hold down the relevant function key.

The parking pilot and the garage pilot form part of the Park assist package, one of three packages. The City assist package includes features such as the new crossing assist. The Tour assist package comes with the adaptive cruise assist, which supplements the adaptive cruise control by means of gentle steering intervention to keep the vehicle in lane, and the efficiency assist, which promotes an economical driving style.

Behind the extensive assist systems lies a high-tech module from Audi, the central driver assistance controller (zFAS). It calculates continuously a detailed model of the environment from a fusion of sensor data. Depending on equipment, the sensor set includes up to five radar sensors, five cameras, twelve ultrasonic sensors as well as a laser scanner – another major innovation.

Audi connect online services also provide the car-to-X services traffic sign and hazard information. They use the swarm intelligence from the Audi fleet and network the Audi A6 with its environment.

Source: Audi

Parking crashes usually don’t result in serious injuries, but repair costs can quickly mount, along with the hassle of going without the family vehicle while waiting for the body shop to finish work. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has launched a rear crash prevention ratings program to help consumers identify models with the technology that can prevent or mitigate low-speed backing crashes. Two systems earn the highest rating of superior, and four earn the second-highest rating of advanced.

Rear crash prevention encompasses several technologies. Parking sensors issue warning beeps and/or seat vibrations when the equipped vehicle gets too close to another vehicle or object directly behind it, or, in some cases, in front of it. Rear cross-traffic alert warns drivers of approaching vehicles that might cross their path as they back up. Rear automatic emergency braking systems detect objects behind a reversing vehicle and may automatically brake if the driver doesn’t heed alerts to stop.

IIHS engineers evaluated rear autobrake systems on six popular 2017 model vehicles — the BMW 5 series sedan, Cadillac XT5 SUV, Infiniti QX60 SUV, Jeep Cherokee SUV, Subaru Outback wagon and Toyota Prius hatchback.

Under the three-tier rating scheme, models with optional or standard rear crash prevention systems are rated superior, advanced or basic. Ratings are determined by whether the vehicles have available rear autobrake and, if so, how it performs in a series of car-to-car and car-to-pole tests with different approach angles. The availability of parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert also is factored in.

The Outback and XT5 earn a superior rating when equipped with optional rear autobrake, parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. The Cherokee, 5 series, QX60 and Prius earn an advanced rating with this optional gear.

The ratings evaluate the rear crash prevention systems’ ability to prevent damage in low-speed crashes, not their ability to mitigate injuries in crashes.

Research from IIHS and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) indicates that these technologies prevent crashes. The combination of a rearview camera, rear parking sensors and rear autobrake is reducing backing crashes reported to police by 78 percent, a new IIHS study of General Motors’ vehicles found. Rear autobrake systems from GM and Subaru also are reducing the frequency of claims reported to insurers, HLDI reported in August 2017.

For a superior rating, a vehicle must have a rear autobrake system that can avoid a crash or substantially reduce speeds in many of the test scenarios, which involve multiple runs at about 4 mph. Systems are assigned points based on the number of runs that either avoid or barely hit the target, reducing speeds to less than 1 mph. For advanced, a vehicle must have rear autobrake and avoid a crash or reduce speeds in some of the scenarios. Vehicles that only have parking sensors and/or rear cross-traffic alert earn a basic rating.

Rear autobrake isn’t as prevalent as front autobrake. The feature is optional on only 5 percent and standard on less than 1 percent of 2018 model passenger vehicles, HLDI estimates. Rear cross-traffic alert is optional on 43 percent and standard on 11 percent of 2018 models. Rear parking sensors are standard on 33 percent and optional on 59 percent of 2018 models. Rearview cameras are standard on 89 percent and optional on 10 percent of 2018 models.

Demonstration tests

To illustrate how repair costs can add up, the Institute conducted four low-speed demonstration tests with and without rear autobrake, and then tallied the damage as a claims estimator would. Scenarios included the XT5 backing into a pole and the Outback reversing into a 2016 Chevrolet Cruze. When equipped with rear autobrake, the vehicles didn’t strike anything, so there was no damage. Without autobrake was a different story.

The XT5 needed an estimated $3,477 in repairs after backing into a pole. Damaged parts included the bumper cover, tailgate, hitch bar, energy absorber, rear body panel, trim and assorted brackets.

When the Outback backed into the Cruze’s rear bumper, the estimated damage for both cars came to $1,899 — $1,159 for the Outback and $740 for the Cruze.

Source: IIHS

The new Nissan LEAF has received a five-star safety rating, from the Japan New Car Assessment Program.

In earning the top grade, the zero-emission LEAF with ProPILOT autonomous technology scored 94.8 points out of a possible 100 for occupant safety in a collision. The program is organized by Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the National Agency for Automotive Safety and Victims’ Aid.

An icon of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the new Nissan LEAF comes with a host of advanced safety features. The 100% electric car went on sale in Japan in October 2017 and will be introduced in more than 60 markets around the world.

The all-new version comes with a number of advanced technologies including ProPILOT technology for autonomous single-lane driving on highways and the ProPILOT Park autonomous parking system. It also features e-Pedal, which lets drivers accelerate and brake by operating only the accelerator pedal.

Source: Nissan

• Technology leadership geared toward automotive market trends supports profitable growth path
• Positioning HELLA as a supplier of key components and subsystems and as a development partner for autonomous driving strengthens business model
• Management board provides information regarding medium-term growth prospects

HELLA believes that it is set up to continue its profitable growth path from its position of strong technological expertise. It hopes to continue advancing the trend toward autonomous driving in particular through its clear strategic position as a supplier for components and subsystems and as a development partner.

“Both lighting and electronics will play a crucial role in future autonomous driving scenarios,” says HELLA CEO Dr. Rolf Breidenbach. “As a leader in technology for the automotive sector with a clear strategic direction, we have good prospects in sight for providing our customers with innovative and sophisticated product solutions for autonomous driving as well as seizing opportunities for continued success in developing our company.”

To this end, HELLA is developing innovative lighting solutions for automated driving situations. Body and interior lighting is also gaining in importance in this context, because in autonomous driving situations, drivers might use travel time for other purposes. As a result, a new type of interior lighting will be required in the future. That’s why HELLA is already hard at work developing interior vehicle lighting designs that are highly customizable and enable a variety of new functions. These designs will also be adjustable to the variety of driver and driving situation requirements.

In the area of electronic and software functions relating to autonomous driving, HELLA pursues a three-pillar strategy. One the one hand HELLA positions itself as a supplier of key components in the areas of radar and camera software but also provides subsystems on the other hand. Additionally, HELLA acts as service and development partner.

In the context of front camera software, HELLA has introduced a new business model to the market. The new open software platform for camera-based driver assistance systems gives customers the option to custom-combine hardware components and series-ready software functions, such as traffic sign or pedestrian recognition, to fulfill their individual needs. This even includes complex automated driving functions that require considerably more advanced methods of image processing.

HELLA has also continuously expanded its leading position in radar technology. To this end, HELLA has launched the fourth generation of the 24 GHz radar technology with advanced safety and assistance functions and is currently preparing to launch radar sensors on a 77 GHz basis. This technology permits the type of 360-degree environment recognition that is required, particularly during automated driving and parking.

Based on this technological expertise, HELLA is positioning itself as a provider of subsystems geared toward certain use cases. Automatic parking scenarios are one example of what these systems handle. Such a scenario will be one of the most important functions in urban mobility in the near future. For this reason, HELLA will specifically build up technological expertise for automated parking and thus strengthen its position as a system provider in this area.

In addition, HELLA has become established as a development partner for autonomous driving functions and has increased its own system expertise through strategic collaborations. HELLA has been participating in open and flexible collaboration with partners such as ZF Friedrichshafen, NXP Semiconductors and LG Electronics.

Source: HELLA

The new A-Class features the most up-to-date driver assistance systems with cooperative driver support, offering the highest level of active safety from the S-Class segment. For the first time, the A-Class can drive semi-automatically in certain situations.

The new A-Class has a close eye on the traffic environment: improved camera and radar systems allow you to look ahead up to 500 m. In addition, the A-Class uses map and navigation data for assistance functions. As part of the driver assistance package, the DISTRONIC Active Distance Assist can support the driver on a route-based basis in a large number of situations and adjust the speed conveniently ahead of, for example, turns, intersections or roundabouts.

And the driver always knows at a glance which assistance functions he has chosen and which situations the systems are currently reacting to. Unique icons – such as a steering wheel with hands on both sides – inform him both on the screen and in the head-up display. All driver assistance functions can be operated via the steering wheel.

Active safety as standard: Extended Brake Assist

Standard on board the new A-Class is an extended Active Brake Assist, It can provide effective support, depending on the situation, reducing or avoiding rear-end collisions with slower vehicles driving ahead, stationary and stationary, and even with crossing pedestrians and cyclists, in their severity. If the safety distance falls well below, the system warns the driver optically. If it detects an acute risk of collision, it also warns the driver acoustically. At the same time, it calculates the braking force needed to ideally avoid the impact. If the warned driver then brakes, the system can reinforce too weak a driver’s braking situation. It makes the best use of the available remaining distance, in order to leave space for braking for the following traffic as well. If the driver does not react,

Also standard is the ATTENTION ASSIST with adjustable sensitivity, which can warn in time of inattention and fatigue.

Modular driver assistance system offer: support on request

The A-Class offers a modular range of driver assistance systems. In addition to the standard equipment, optional extras up to the driver assistance package also offer the option of customizing the vehicle in terms of driver assistance. Optionally, a pure Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC is available for comfortable longitudinal control, which, in conjunction with traffic sign recognition in the navigation system, provides manual acceptance of detected speed limits.

Already in its purely indicative design, the Blind Spot Assist can warn at low speeds of vehicles, including bicycles, in the danger zone. For the first time, he can signal the driver at standstill before exiting with an optical warning in the exterior mirror that a vehicle passes in the critical area. If the driver actuates the door handle at this moment, an additional acoustic warning sounds. The passing object must move more than 2 m / s. The function is available when the vehicle is stationary and for up to three minutes after the ignition is switched off. The Blind Spot Assist can be extended with an Active Lane Keeping Assistant,

The functionality of the traffic sign assistant has been extended, among other things, by a warning of people in the area of ​​crosswalks and an extended false warning warning function, which can now warn not only of wrong entry on highways, but also of wrong entry in one-way streets and roundabouts. In addition, the detection of stop signs has been coupled with the ECO start-stop function and is taken into account accordingly – the engine remains on.

Driver Assistance Package: Many assistants combined in a meaningful way

The assistance and safety systems are bundled in the driver assistance package (optional extra). The functions in detail:

Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC with Active Steering Assist : In the speed range of 0 – 210 km / h on all road types – motorway, country road and in the city – the system can not only automatically keep the correct distance to preceding vehicles, but also the driver assist significantly in steering, even in turns. Up to 130 km / h, the Active Steering Assist is not necessarily dependent on clearly visible lane markings, but can continue to actively intervene, as in a swarm, even in ambiguous lines, eg in construction sites, or even without lines. Thus, the system effectively relieves and supports the driver, especially in column and congestion traffic.

The speed reduction varies depending on the selected DYNAMIC SELECT driving program (eg ECO, Comfort or Sport). Thus, partially automated driving for a long time on rural roads tangible. The active distance assistant DISTRONIC regulates in principle in the speed range of 0 to 210 km / h the distance to the vehicle in front and keeps the track. Rolling processes, eg downhill, can now also be taken into account.

Active Speed ​​Limit Assistant: In conjunction with MBUX, the Active Speed ​​Limit Assist, a switchable sub-feature of the Traffic Sign Assistant, can detect camera-detected speed limits, including gantries and site signage. In addition, known limits are taken into account via navigation, eg 50 km / h in urban areas or 100 km / h on rural roads. The Active Distance Assistant DISTRONIC independently controls the detected speed restrictions (in combination with navigation and traffic sign recognition). In certain cases, the speed can be adjusted in advance on the basis of map data. On roads without speed limits, eg on sections of the German Autobahn, the recommended guideline speed – in this example 130 km / h – is assumed as setting speed. It can be adapted by the driver. The maximum desired speed is always adopted during the journey, when the speed limit is canceled. It remains preset until leaving the motorway or until the engine is switched off.

Stopping congestion : In stop-and-go traffic on freeways and motorway-like roads, stops of up to 30 seconds are now possible, within which the A-Class automatically starts again and follows the preceding traffic.

Active lane change assistant : If the driver wants to change lanes on multi-lane roads (detected by means of navigation data) in the speed range of 80 to 180 km / h, a tapping of the turn signal now suffices. Within the next ten seconds, the sensor system checks, in addition to the driver, whether the secondary lane in front of, beside and behind the own vehicle is free, taking into account the speed of other vehicles. If there is no other vehicle in the relevant safety area, the driver is assisted in changing lanes. The initiated lane change is displayed in the instrument cluster and in the head-up display. The system is available in selected countries, depending on the certification capability.

Active emergency stop assistant: The active emergency stop assistant brakes the vehicle in its own lane to a standstill when it detects that the driver permanently intervenes while driving with activated Active Steering Assist in the driving. If there is no operator activity on the steering wheel for a predefined time when the Active Steering Assist is activated, the system visually and acoustically prompts the driver to put their hands against the steering wheel. If the driver does not react by steering, accelerating, braking or operating the touch control button on the steering wheel after multiple visual and acoustic requests, the car in the recognized lane delays to a standstill. Below approx. 60 km / h the following traffic is warned by hazard warning lights. If the vehicle comes to a standstill, the parking brake is automatically activated and after ten seconds the Mercedes-Benz emergency call system is activated. In addition, the vehicle is unlocked to allow first responders to enter the vehicle. The functions are aborted as soon as the driver engages in the driving process again.

Active Brake Assist : The Active Brake Assist with intersection function can assist the driver in road traffic avoiding impending collisions with stationary, preceding or crossing vehicles and persons, if the driver has no activities to defuse the dangerous situation. There is one

• Distance warning via a warning light in the instrument cluster if the distance to a vehicle ahead is too small
• additional acoustic warning if a collision hazard is detected
• situation-specific brake assistance as soon as the driver brakes himself.
• autonomous emergency braking on vehicles in front, standing or crossing if the driver does not react
• autonomous emergency braking also for standing or crossing pedestrians / cyclists.

Evasive steering assistance: The Dodge Steering Assist can assist the driver in the speed range of 20 to 70 km / h if he wants to avoid a pedestrian in a dangerous situation, which the assistance system has detected by means of radar and stereo multi-purpose camera. If the driver initiates an evasive maneuver by means of a steering movement, the system supports this avoidance request by imposing precisely calculated additional steering torques on the steering. They help to avoid the pedestrian in a controlled manner and then make it easier to park the vehicle in a straight line so that you can drive safely past it. The philosophy of the Dodge Steering Assistant is to give the driver noticeable support, but the initiative to evade it must come from this.

Active Lane Keeping Assist : Can warn the driver of unintentional lane departure from pulsed steering wheel vibration in the 60 to 200 km / h range and retract the vehicle into the lane when traversing a solid line with one-sided braking. In a dashed line this intervention takes place only if there is a risk of collision on the secondary lane (also by oncoming traffic).

Active Blind Spot Assist: Can warn the driver visually and with flashing operation also acoustically in the speed range of approx. 12 to 200 km / h against side collisions with other vehicles, also eg bicycles. This works at standstill even when disembarking, so for example, collisions with cyclists when opening the door can be avoided. Above 30 km / h in the driver assistance package, an automatic one-sided braking at the last moment can help to prevent a lateral collision.

Traffic Sign Assistant: Through the recognition of the image and information of the digital road map of the navigation system, the maximum speed and overtaking bans for the current section of the route and zebra crossings are determined and displayed in the instrument cluster. Restrictive additional signs such as speed limits in the case of wet weather (warning when the windscreen wiper is switched on) or speed limits are only taken into account or ignored for trucks on a case-by-case basis. The speed traveled is compared with the maximum speed allowed. If set appropriately by the driver, the overshoot is signaled by an optical / visual-acoustic warning message. In addition, entry bans are detected and the driver is asked to check his direction of travel. Furthermore, a warning is given in the instrument cluster and in the head-up display in front of recognized persons in the area of ​​crosswalks. The traffic sign assistant is also available separately outside the assistance package.

Easy parking and maneuvering: additional assistants on request

The Active Parking Assistant with PARKTRONIC facilitates both the search for parking space and the parking in and out of parking spaces in longitudinal and transverse parking spaces, in transverse parking spaces forward as well as backward. He maneuvers the vehicle into the selected parking space and out again. In this case, in addition to the throttle and brake control, even when the 7G-DCT dual-clutch gearbox is installed, the gear change automatically takes place. In conjunction with the Blind Spot Assist, the system can warn of cross-parking gaps when crossing the rear of the vehicle and, if necessary, automatically brake it. With the help of six ultrasonic sensors each in the front and rear bumpers, the PARKTRONIC warns visually and acoustically of detected obstacles. These can be located in front, to the side and behind the vehicle and are detected up to a speed of approx. 10 km / h.

The 360 ° camera parking package provides all-round visibility through the 360 ​​° camera with four networked close-range cameras in the radiator grille, the tailgate release handle and the exterior mirror housings. The information is displayed clearly in different selectable views on the MBUX display.

The Park package combines the Active Parking Assistant with a reversing camera in the boot lid. Their image is displayed in the MBUX display schematically and with auxiliary lines displayed. The reversing camera is also available separately.

Source: Mercedes Benz