http://gsmserver.com/item/car-camera/intelligent-parking-assist-system/
Many consider parallel parking to be one of the most difficult tasks to do while driving a car. However, thanks to new technology, cars are becoming smart enough that they can park themselves. By using a variety of sensors, these self-parking cars first search for a suitable parallel parking space (2,3). Then, while the driver still continues to regulate the speed of the car by pressing and releasing the brake, the computer system on the car automatically controls the steering wheel until it says the park job is complete (1,2).
A variety of car companies are attempting to implement the idea of a self parking car. Although they all have the same ultimate goal, they all have slight differences in design. First of all, each self parking system could have different ways of sensing objects around the car. Some use cameras and computer screens on the dashboard, others use transmitters and receivers on the bumpers, and others could use radar to detect objects (1). Newer design plans hope to implement many of these features in one car including radar units, ultrasonic sensors, and a camera (3). Another difference in design is the way that the car finds a targeted parking spot. Depending on the brand of the car, it may require targeting a spot via a back up camera and touchscreen, hitting an “OK” button to confirm a selection, or it may be automatic when the system is turned on (2). In addition to multiple sensing devices, newer designs also vary in the fact that they plan to be completely autonomous, automatically switching gears, accelerating, braking, and steering (3).
Despite the obvious benefits of a self parking system, there are a few drawbacks. Some designs will get you into the general parking spot but will not completely finish the job. It may get you to where you are roughly supposed to be, but then you must straighten the wheels and finish own your own (2). Secondly, sometimes people receive conflicting signals when they use a system. For example, it may tell you to keep backing up while loudly beeping that you are too close to the car behind you (2). Lastly, many people enjoy driving a car and may not wish to give up control of their vehicle to a computer (1). Automated parking systems are designed to help people parallel park, but they should not be expected to use the same level of detail that an experienced driver would have (2).
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/self-parking-car.htm
Even more advanced than a self parking car would be the possibility of a self driving car. Although some people may be reluctant to give up their control of the wheel to a computer, there are a number of advantages to using a car that can drive itself. According to Jim Dalrymple II (4), one of the largest shifts that would result from self-driving cars is that taxis would replace widespread car ownership. This idea is based on the fact that the main expense of a taxi is the driver’s wage. Without a driver, taxis could become cheap and ultimately more cost effective than owning a car. In addition, the self- driving taxis would run almost all of the time, unlike an owned car that just sits in a parking space for a large portion of time. If this were the case, the number of parking lots could be greatly reduced, opening more space for other uses such as green expansion (parks, fields, etc.) or housing. Lastly, if the entire transportation system could become “hyper-optimized”, where all the vehicles on the road interact efficiently, the streets would become safer and less congested.
Opponents of the self-driving car usually either fit into one or two categories. The first is if they do not want to relinquish their control of the wheel. The second is a group that believes that there are still better alternatives economically and environmentally to the self-driving cars (4). This second group proposes potential problems that self-driving cars would cause and then offers an alternate solution. For example, some people do not agree with the taxi idea listed above and believe that self-driving cars would increase the demand for vehicles and eventually cause more congestion. They think that public transportation expansion would maximize space efficiency as well as reduce emissions, and is therefore the best option. The following clip clearly shows the space efficiency of public transport:
Although the self-driving car may seem like an excellent idea in principle, I believe that due to the challengers of the design, it will be decades until the self-parking car has a chance to be implemented in the world.
Sources:
- http://auto.howstuffworks.com/car-driving-safety/safety-regulatory-devices/self-parking-car1.htm
- http://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/features/self-parking-systems-comparison-test.html
- http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/168194-fords-amazing-new-tech-park-your-car-from-outside-the-car
- http://www.buzzfeed.com/jimdalrympleii/self-driving-cars-will-transform-cities-but-they-could-make
self parking cars are already here. The market is adjusting and the technology is developing. It is of most interest in the cities of the world. I wonder if we will get smart parking lots as they obviously account foe a lot of the parking and often have very tights spots. They already counts spaces available for each level
En route to driverless cars, you need to identify other smart technologies applicable now such as collision avoidance and lane change warning systems. What in the end will make people decide on a taxi or an owned car. I think customization, safety and health will be important, while lack of parking may push people to taxi style service. The pereformance of the car may be irrelevant
The self-parking car is a great innovation. It shows how far we have come in developing smarter cars and how much further we can potentially go. I like the potential that self-driven cars have. The idea of no longer having a personal car and using self-driven taxis is great and if it is actually implemented in the future there are obviously a countless number of positive impacts it will have.
This is a very well-written blog and with a great amount of detail. You provide a great amount of information about the current progression of self-driven cars. I also think you did a great job at implementing images, especially the clip which does a great job at proving your point. The only thing I would change is to include what car companies are currently developing self-driven cars and the possible negative aspects of the new technology. Overall, this is a great blog.
This blog topic is very interesting and I admire the use of visual images/clips. Your details about the technology were informative with a great amount of depth to your conclusions. One point I would like to add is the possible failures of this design. Also, you did not mention which major companies are the “front-runners” in the self parking technology. However, you did mention the future for this technology and how it will not accelerate until later in time. Sources were used well. Overall, this was a great blog, very focused, clean and crisp!
This is a very thoroughly-completed blog, I didn’t feel like there was a lack of depth at all while I was reading it.
You did a great job describing how different manufacturers are taking different approaches to the struggle of parallel parking. The only thing I thought could be added is the specific mention of the brand and/or cars using the technology, and real examples of how it has failed. The descriptions are well done though.
The portion on self driving cars was well balanced between the two sides of the argument and presented well enough that anyone could seriously argue either side. One of my favorite parts of this blog was the short clip you included showing the startling amount of space public transportation saves, and I think it worked very effectively with you presentation of that side.
Excellent job!