Good afternoon, dear reader.

This article will discuss a variety of car parking assistance systems that have become widespread in recent years: front and rear parking sensors, rear view and all-round cameras, and parking assistants.

We will talk about what problems each of the listed devices solves, as well as how best to park in the presence of certain auxiliary systems. Let's get started.

Car without parking assistance systems

Every modern driver started driving a car that was not equipped with parking assistance systems. Training in driving schools is allowed only in cars that do not have parking systems. That is why every driver knows how to park a car “using the mirrors.”

In practice, the absence of parking assistance systems does not cause any particular problems; the car can be parked without them. Moreover, this can be done very carefully; parking will just take a little longer. In addition, many drivers do not understand the benefits of installing parking sensors or a rear view camera. Therefore, the number of cars not equipped with parking assistance systems remains quite impressive.

However, almost all modern cars have at least a rear parking sensor as a factory option.

Rear parking sensors are a device consisting of ultrasonic sensors, a control unit, a display for displaying distance, and a speaker for sound notification.

The parking radar works as follows. When reverse gear is engaged, sensors (usually 4) located in the rear bumper of the car are automatically turned on. The sensors send an ultrasonic signal and then record the reflected signal. Based on this data, the distance to the nearest objects is calculated, which is shown schematically on the display. In addition, approaching an obstacle is also indicated by an audible signal, the frequency of which depends on the distance to the obstacle.

Problems that rear parking sensors solve:

• Quick parking next to big obstacles. Rear parking sensors are able to promptly warn the driver that an obstacle has appeared on the route, and thus prevent an accident.
• Determining the distance to an obstacle. The display schematically shows the distance to the obstacle, which allows you to stop at the desired distance. For example, in practice you can count the number of bars on the display at which the tailgate can be opened without hitting nearby cars.
• Parking at a minimum distance from an obstacle in cramped conditions.

Flaws problems that may occur when using rear parking sensors:

• Incorrect determination of the distance to round objects (thin vertical pipes) to inclined surfaces.
• Inability to obtain information about the deepening (open well hatch).
• Information about objects that do not pose a danger to the car. For example, when reversing on a dirt road surrounded by grass, the parking sensors will beep constantly. This causes some discomfort when driving off-road.

However, the disadvantages listed above are not critical; you just need to be aware of them. In this regard, when using a car equipped with an acoustic parking system, I recommend that you first inspect the place chosen for parking. Don’t rush to park your car right away; first, look at it through the window for a couple of seconds. This time is enough to notice a protruding pipe or an open well hatch.

Parking using rear parking sensors. If you have rear parking sensors, it is much more convenient to park the car in reverse. This will give you a better view when exiting a perpendicular parking space.

Note. This article will consider examples of perpendicular parking in a populated area. For example, we are talking about parking at any supermarket, where parking spaces are located perpendicular to the passage for vehicle traffic.

Selecting rear parking sensors. Rear parking sensors differ slightly in terms of installation. They all have sensors that cut into the rear bumper. Perhaps the only important difference is the way information is displayed: data from the parking sensors can be displayed either on a separate display or on the radio screen.

Installing rear parking sensors from the factory when ordering a car will cost the driver 7,000 - 12,000 rubles. Subsequent installation in a car repair shop costs from 5,000 rubles (including the cost of equipment). You can purchase parking sensors and install it yourself, in which case everything will be much cheaper. For example, if you order equipment in China, you can spend 1,000 rubles. In principle, you can buy parking sensors at the nearest auto store, but they cost much more there.

Front parking sensors

The principle of operation of the front parking sensors is the same as that of the rear parking sensors. The only significant difference is that the sensors are located in the front bumper of the car. The main purpose of the front acoustic parking system is to prevent hitting an obstacle when maneuvering in very cramped conditions. The fact is that when driving many models of cars, the driver does not see the front edge of the hood. Front parking sensors help avoid collisions when driving ahead at low speeds.

In practice, front parking sensors are installed as an addition to rear parking sensors. I have never met any cars that only have a front parking system installed.

The problem that front parking sensors solve- this is an opportunity to park in cramped conditions. If you have front parking sensors, you can also park in a parking space that is only a few centimeters longer than the length of the car. Naturally, you will have to use the scheme many times.

Additional flaw when using front parking sensors - when driving at low speed (in a traffic jam or on rough terrain), the parking sensors constantly signal the presence of obstacles, which can distract from driving.

Parking using front parking sensors. Front parking sensors do not have a significant effect on the perpendicular parking pattern. It is more convenient to park the car in reverse. This will give you a better view when exiting a perpendicular parking space.

Choice of front and rear parking sensors. The only important difference from choosing rear parking sensors is that it is much more convenient to immediately install both front and rear sensors so that information from them is displayed on a single display.

Installing 8 parking sensors (4 front and 4 rear) from the factory costs about 20,000 rubles. Installation at the service will cost no less than 10,000 - 12,000 rubles. Independent purchase and installation will cost the driver 2,500 - 3,000 rubles.

A rear view camera is a video camera installed at the rear of the vehicle that transmits a signal to a display in front of the driver. The camera does not allow you to estimate the distance to the obstacle, but it shows a “picture”.

Information from the camera can be displayed both on an additional display (located on the front panel or on the interior rearview mirror) and on the radio display.

There are various rear view camera options:

• With static marking lines. Lines are displayed on the screen showing how the car will drive when moving in a straight line in reverse.
• With dynamic marking lines. When you turn the steering wheel of the car, the marking lines on the screen bend in the corresponding direction. This allows you to accurately determine whether the car will fit when driving in a confined space.
• With built-in washer. When using cameras on station wagons, station wagons and crossovers, the camera becomes covered in dirt very quickly. The built-in washer allows you to clean the camera lens without leaving the car.
• Wireless cameras. The only difference is the installation method. In this case, there is no need to run a wire between the camera and the display; the image is transmitted “over the air”.

Problems that a rear view camera solves:

• Quickly reverse parking next to any obstacles. A good camera allows you to notice, among other things, open sewer manholes and vertical pipes.
• Wide viewing angle and shifting viewpoint to the rear of the car. The camera allows you to see objects that are impossible to see in the rearview mirrors. The fact is that the screen also displays objects located at the rear side. For example, when leaving a perpendicular parking space, you can also see cars approaching from the left and right.
• Comfortable reversing on dirt roads, as well as in grass. Unlike parking sensors, the camera allows you to see the obstacle. The driver can always assess the situation and decide whether to drive or not. For example, soft grass can be crushed with a bumper, but you should not drive into small bushes.

Flaws problems that may occur when using a rear view camera:

• Inability to determine the distance to an object. This problem can be identified, for example, when parking in reverse near a plain (white) wall. In this case, the entire screen will be monochromatic and this will not allow you to navigate normally.
• The camera is dirty. Unlike parking sensors, the camera will not work if it is dirty. If the design does not provide a washer, you will have to wipe the camera with a rag.

Parking using a rear view camera. If you have a rear view camera, it is more convenient to park the car in front. In this case, reversing from a perpendicular parking space is easier, since the camera provides a wide viewing angle.

This is especially true when parking perpendicularly on busy streets. The rear view camera is located 10-20 centimeters from the edge of the rear bumper. The driver sits 100-150 cm from the edge of the front bumper. When leaving a perpendicular parking space in front, the obstacle can only be noticed after the front of the car “sticks out” onto the road by about a meter. When reversing, the camera allows you to assess the situation earlier.

Selecting a rear view camera. Unlike parking sensors, which are installed only in the car’s bumper, rear view cameras have several installation options:

• Rear bumper cutout.
• Camera built into the rear license plate frame.
• Installation of a small external camera using self-tapping screws.
• Installation in the rear license plate lamp.
• Installation in the trunk opening handle.
• Installation in the car brand emblem.

The first 3 options are universal, the last 3 require finding a camera that fits a specific car model. When choosing a camera, I recommend that you first look at the installation option that the automaker offers. Usually it is this that provides the most convenient installation and the best view.

The cost of installing an original camera at the factory starts from about 10,000 rubles. Installing a camera and monitor in the service costs from 7,000 rubles. If you order and install it yourself, you can spend 2,000 - 3,000 rubles.

The all-round viewing system consists of four video cameras that allow you to assess the situation from all sides of the car:

• 1 camera at the front - in the area of ​​the radiator grille.
• 2 cameras on the side - in the rear view mirrors.
• 1 rear camera.

The all-round visibility system is designed to make it easier to maneuver the vehicle in confined spaces. Cameras allow you to see obstacles on all sides of the vehicle.

The problem that the surround view system solves- this is driving ahead in limited visibility. Imagine that your car is parked perpendicularly between two trucks. Trucks block the view; to see passing cars, you need to “stick out” the hood of the car about a meter. The front camera allows you to assess the situation in advance and leave at the right time.

Disadvantage of the all-round viewing system- images from cameras are often quite small. Perhaps this does not happen on all cars. However, when you turn on the surround view system, images from four cameras are displayed simultaneously on the display. Since the size of the display in the car is limited, it turns out that each of the pictures is quite small.

Parking using a 360-degree view system. In this case, it is better to park the car in reverse. When leaving in front, the visibility is better, and the cameras will allow you to notice in advance an obstacle that may not be visible from the driver’s seat.

Parking assistant

Parking assistants are the most advanced systems that allow you to park your car. Their essence boils down to the fact that the car itself controls the rotation of the steering wheel when parking. The driver can only press the gas and brake pedals. The choice of trajectory is completely taken over by the car.

Parking assistants include front and rear parking sensors. It is on the basis of their signals that the car first selects a space that is sufficient for parking, and then controls the rotation of the steering wheel.

These systems can perform parallel and perpendicular parking, as well as independently move out of a parking space. The driver only needs to choose the speed.

Parking using the parking assistant system. In this case, it is better to park the car in reverse. The car still parks itself, and when leaving the front the visibility is better.

To better understand how parking assistants work, I suggest you watch the following video:

Installation of car parking assistance systems

All types of parking assistance systems listed in this article can be installed on cars at the factory:

• Rear parking sensors. Installed on almost all modern car models.
• Front parking sensors and rear view camera. Installed on cars of the “average” price category. Such options can be found on models costing around 1,000,000 rubles.
• Surround view system and parking assistant. Installed on “expensive” cars. They can be found on cars costing about 1,500,000 rubles.

Possibility of self-installation or installation in the service:

• Rear parking sensors, front parking sensors and a rear view camera can be installed independently or at any electrical service center. The installation is technically quite simple.
• All-round viewing systems can be installed in services that specialize in such equipment.
• The parking assistant can be installed theoretically. However, in practice, this, firstly, requires a lengthy selection of spare parts and their search, and secondly, significant reworking of the car. This option can only be implemented by true fans of modifying their own car; services usually do not take on complex tasks.

If we describe in general terms the independent installation of parking sensors or a camera, it will look like this:

• Installing parking sensors into the bumper or installing a camera in the rear of the car. This may require removing the bumper or disassembling the trunk lid trim.
• Partial disassembly of the interior and wiring of wires to the display.
• Display installation.
• Connecting equipment to the vehicle's on-board network. Typically, 2 or 3 wires are used for connection ("+" from the reversing light, constant "-" and constant "+"). Some vehicles require the installation of an additional relay.

So, if you wish, you can equip your car with additional parking assistance systems. Moreover, this can be done quite inexpensively.

In conclusion, I would like to note that car parking assistance systems are one of the most popular types of additional equipment installed on cars. And this, in turn, leads to a reduction in the number of annoying accidents when parking. So if you are choosing between a car with and without parking systems, I recommend choosing the first option.

Good luck on the roads!

According to statistics, a car is driven only 5% of its life. The rest of the time he remains in the parking lot. Large cities are faced with a shortage of parking spaces. This is especially true in places with large human concentrations such as shopping centers. Robotics has offered a solution in the form of automated parking systems that efficiently utilize parking space.

What problems do automatic parking solve?

• Saving more than 80% of space.
• They can be installed in areas where it is impossible to build garages in the buildings themselves.
• Thanks to a competent system of ramps, elevators and stairs, the space is used as efficiently as possible.
• Reduce costs for lighting, ventilation and other costs.
• Eliminates dents on the body and theft of things from inside the car.

Types of robotic parking

If the driver wants to leave the car in an automatic parking lot, he only needs to drive there, stopping the car inside. The automatic system will complete the work. You just need to leave the premises, confirming on the corresponding control unit your intention to leave the car in the parking lot. Next, the machine is assigned an identifier with a unique number and a key card with a special password.

The basis for the operation of such a parking lot is the central computer. Cameras, mechanical components and the necessary sensors are installed throughout the building. This makes it easy to move cars throughout the entire parking area.

In parking lots, a horizontal or vertical lift is installed, depending on the transportation features of that particular parking lot. Based on the name, they will differ in the position of the body in space. Built-in sensors allow you to calculate all the car data to determine the size and shape. Then all devices begin to work in accordance with the algorithms.

The car is lifted thanks to special movable transportation containers - pallets, which are installed on the mechanism for moving the car. Basically, it is a rectangular platform with a front part that can rotate 360 ​​degrees.

There are also palletless systems, whose solutions are no less interesting. There is a version with a special “scissor” wheel grip. The system itself is a grating system with a gripping sliding device. By adjusting the position of the car, the width of the parking space is reduced to just over two meters - pallet systems do not give such a result.

Returning the car back will also not be difficult. The driver swipes his identification card over a special block and activates the system. A signal is sent to the automation, and the car returns.

Automatic parking lots with a large number of levels are considered the highest quality today. The structure is built vertically and can be located both above and below ground. The main undoubted advantage of such parking lots is a very large number of spaces for cars and a high-class automatic system with high operating speed. It has one minus - a considerable price.

This type of parking operates on the principle of a moving lift, with parking spaces installed on both sides of it. Tower parking today can accommodate several cars in one storage cell, saving space several times.

There are also cassette and conveyor parking. In them, the pallets are shifted at each level. Lifts operate on both sides of the conveyor. Of the minuses, perhaps, increased energy consumption, since several lifts are used in one system, and increased waiting time, since the machine has to overcome a difficult path while moving.

Completing the procession are mixed parking lots. Their operating principle is robotic transporters moving horizontally and lifting robots moving vertically. This type is best suited for large parking areas, providing the most convenience for the driver. The turning mechanism can turn the car straight towards the exit according to the direction - this allows you to avoid damaging the car during transportation. Energy consumption in such a system is significantly lower, because the lifts operate only at the time of receiving and distributing the car, and all other mechanisms consume several tens of times less energy. It is possible to install a parking space near the drivers' homes or their places of work, places of rest - this increases the comfort of using automatic parking.

Conclusion

Summarizing everything that has been said above, we can safely conclude that the only solution to the problem of parking and storing an ever-increasing number of cars is robotic parking. They save time, money and energy. In all countries of the world, such parking is becoming increasingly widespread and generating more and more positive experiences, thanks to which technology will continue to develop.

About five years ago, automatic parking systems were something fantastic. Today they are installed not only on premium cars, but also on affordable cars. I wonder if they work the same on expensive and cheap machines? Can you trust the car valet? Will automation surpass humans in the art of parking? We tested several cars.

To protect them from damage, the rows of cars in the parking lot were imitated with light and soft foam cubes. We set the distance between them individually for each car: it consists of the length of the body and another 0.7 m on each side. Enough to confidently park manually, and the manufacturers promise that the automatic system is guaranteed to have enough of this reserve.

We record the time, note the features, and record errors in the log. Then we gradually move the cubes and repeat the exercise. And so on until the automation starts to malfunction.

Along the way, we evaluate the interface - is it convenient to use the system, is the control logical, what does the graphics of electronic devices look like.

Of course, car parkers receive additional advantages for multifunctionality - for example, for transverse parking or assistance when leaving a number of cars.

So, get into the parking lot!

"KIA SPORTAGE"

The “Korean” lost to his opponents in everything. Except that its set of functions is the same as that of Toyota and Ford, that is, it can only park in parallel, both on the right and on the left. True, even here a person who finds himself behind the wheel of a Sportage for the first time may have a hitch. In other models, the side of the street where you need to dock is automatically recognized by the right or left turn signal on, but in the Kia you have to press the same button several times - an unnecessary action and less logical.

The interface is primitive, a big minus for the non-Russianized instrument panel. But this model is assembled in Russia. The Sportage also performed practical work worse than the others - in about a third of the races it did not see a parking space, parked crookedly several times, and ran over a curb made of cones. In addition, the measurements had to be stopped at 1 m (half a meter from each bumper) - the worst result.

"FORD-KUGA"

The smart crossover, as the company called it, turned out to be far from the smartest in the parking lot. If only because he is not trained to drive into tight niches - to perform the maneuver he needs no less than an additional 0.8 m to the length of his own body. But the interface has some smart things that for some reason other manufacturers haven’t thought of. For example, hints to the driver about what he should do during automatic parking appear not on the instrument panel, but directly on the central display, where the image from the rear camera and parking sensor graphics are displayed. And this screen is conveniently located - at the top of the instrument panel.

Only - that's bad luck! - painfully small. Moreover, they are pushed back almost to the windshield. (It’s strange that there are no binoculars among the additional options.) And it’s even more inappropriate for such an intellectual to make gross spelling mistakes. Therefore, only third place for the interface. And the penultimate final one.

"TOYOTA-AURIS"

The first car parking systems that appeared on Priuses did not work in the best way, to put it mildly. Apparently, that’s why Toyota hid behind a stack of papers just in case - the Auris operating manual covers eight pages of situations in which the car parker may not work correctly.

However, the test results show that worries are clearly unnecessary. The modernized car parking system was a pleasant surprise. In terms of clarity and accuracy of the parking assistant, the Auris outshines even the expensive Audi A6. As, indeed, in terms of the speed of the maneuver, although this is mostly due to the fact that the car is more compact. The interface is purely functional and, perhaps, not as catchy as others, but there are no complaints about the ergonomics. However, I would like not only technicians, but also designers to work on a car that costs nearly a million.

"AUDI-A6"

The most expensive car in the test shares the system with its relative, the Volkswagen Passat SS. Of all the participants, only these two models can park not only parallel, but also perpendicular to the road, for which they receive additional points. They also help you get back onto the road from a tight spot. However, the differences with Volkswagen are not only in the interface, but also in behavior.

Despite its higher status and price, the Audi is inferior in diligence. He turned out to be less attentive - more often he did not notice the available parking spaces. And once he started turning the steering wheel late and missed the target between the foam cubes. Therefore, in driving exercises, A6 took only third place. But in general, Audi has not lost its high status - a nice interface, good ergonomics, convenient support when parking, and in terms of the range of parking sensors, this car has no equal.

"VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SS"

The test leader was inferior to Audi only in design and ease of use of the interface. The Passat SS has more modest graphics. And the display of the model with four rings rises above the instrument panel, which in some situations allows you to simultaneously keep in view both the real picture outside the window and the electronic one on the monitor. Otherwise, Volkswagen gives odds to all opponents.

He was the only one who could safely climb into a niche that was only 0.6 m longer than the body (300 mm of free space on each side), and even once climbed into a niche that was another 100 mm narrower. I made a minimum of mistakes - only a couple of times out of several dozen attempts I did not see a suitable parking place. And although the seconds during the maneuver were not the best (largely due to its large dimensions), it acted most stably, accurately and comfortably for the driver. A separate significant plus is the location of the rear view camera, which comes out from under the emblem only when reverse gear is engaged. The visibility is excellent even in the slushiest weather.

MAN VS MACHINE

We organized a competition not only between cars, but also between the driver and the automation. With rare exceptions, the winner was a living organism. During the first maneuvers, the results sometimes differed by 10–15 seconds, depending on the car and the driver’s ability to park. The parking assistant lost, mainly because it took longer to think and try on things, and turned the steering wheel more slowly.

The difference became even more noticeable when the distance between the cubes decreased. The explanation is simple: the person used a more optimal trajectory for the race, so he needed fewer approaches. But the final conclusions of the experts coincided: parking assistants work quite well (except that Kia needs to debug the automation), and those who are unsure about parking will be more likely to be helped than hindered. And the next generation, rest assured, will grow to the level of a pro, and then put it behind its belt. After all, this was the case with all electronic assistants.

IT'S ALL PAMPERING

Mikhail GZOVSKY, head of testing department

Frankly, I pressed the parking assistant button in the editorial Ford Focus 3 at most five times. The first one was out of interest, as soon as I switched to this model. The steering wheel twisting wildly without my participation is a funny sight! I tried the system for the last time a few days before the test to make sure it was useless for me.

In order for the car to find a free space, you have to drive too slowly, and this, in a metropolis, naturally causes dissatisfaction with other drivers.

Moreover, it was precisely when help was needed most, that is, in cramped conditions, that electronics revealed their weaknesses. Without any problems, the Focus can park in two steps only when the car has a meter left in front and behind. The distance is a little less - and Ford no longer sees the opportunity to fit between other cars or requires moving itself back and forth more times than required by an experienced driver (thanks to the excellent work of the front and rear parking sensors!).

In general, in my opinion, the parking assistant present in rich trim levels is useful only for inexperienced drivers. The main thing is not to admire the rotating steering wheel and not to forget that the car itself does not know how to brake!

I WANT A PARKING ASSISTANT

It is difficult to calculate how much a car valet costs for each model. Only "Volkswagen" offers it on the Passat SS separately for RUB 36,970(minimum price for a car with parking assistant - RUB 1,172,970), the rest are only in fixed configurations. For example, at "Audi A6" it comes already in the basic configuration and costs from RUB 1,704,000 U Toyota Auris, Kia Sportage, Ford Kuga the automatic parking system appears only in the most expensive versions: accordingly "Prestige" behind RUB 944,000, "Premium" behind RUB 1,299,000, "Titanium Plus" from RUB 1,443,000 There is no other option - if you need a parking assistant, you will have to fork out the specified amounts.

Parking often causes difficulties for drivers. Therefore, cars with self-parking systems have become relevant. How does this system work?

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Concept

Parking is leaving a car in a permitted place. Correct parking maneuvers are performed by the driver independently.

But now there are vehicles that have an automatic parking system installed. That is, all maneuvers are performed for the driver by a special program.

You can park:

• in specially designated places marked with the appropriate sign;
• at the edge of the road, that is, parallel to the roadway or with access to the sidewalk, if there is a special road sign;
• on the side of the road.

The difference between a parking lot and a parking space is that it is part of the road. You cannot park on the lawn or in the green zone, or in spaces for the disabled, if the vehicle does not have a special badge.

Legislation

1. The basic law that regulates the movement of all vehicles is.
2. Responsibility for incorrect parking is imposed in the form of a fine, according to.
3. You must leave the vehicle in specially designated areas in accordance with.

Video: details

Intelligent automatic parking system

The history of the emergence of such a system is not so distant. The intelligent car parking system is one of the components of the security system.

Its main feature is that the car parks itself, but with the participation of the driver.

This system can be used for both parallel and perpendicular parking. But, as practice shows, it is parking parallel to the roadway that causes difficulty for drivers when the driver does not keep a distance between cars. Therefore, drivers often use the automatic program if the car needs to be left that way.

What cars have this system installed? Depending on the brand of vehicle, such a system goes by different names.

• Volkswagen has such a system called Park Assist, PAV;
• Lexus or Toyota have IPAS;
• Opel has Advanced Park Assist;
• for Ford or Mercedes-Benz - APA;
• BMW has RPA System.

Components

The self-automatic parking system is a rather complex mechanism, the main principle of which is assistance in the correct location of the car in the parking zone.

The main component is ultrasonic sensors, which are the main assistants. Then come the switches, electronic control unit and other components.

But do not forget that the vehicle itself is also one of the components of the parking system. That is, without certain equipment of the car, this system will not work.

So, the car should have:

• power steering;
• on-board computer;
• automatic transmission.

The system is activated by the driver himself by pressing a certain button on the control panel.

Looking for a place

The system itself searches for a suitable parking space. Ultrasonic sensors are used for this. The system selects the ideal location, taking into account the vehicle’s location and turning angle.

The control unit processes the signals that come from the sensors.

As soon as a place is found, the system will give the driver an appropriate signal and display all the necessary information on the on-board computer screen.

Parking process

The process itself can be divided into 2 types:

• parking with driver assistance;
• parking without his participation.

In the first option, visual and voice prompts will be displayed on the on-board computer screen. With the help of these tips, the driver can easily park the car in the place selected by the system.

If the driver decides that the system will work without him, the car will be parked forcibly and automatically.

The steering wheel will turn automatically for the driver. The driver may need to change gear as necessary. But the system will tell you at what point this needs to be done.

Difference between systems

Progress does not stand still, and now it is already possible not only to automatically park a car, but also autonomously. The main difference between the latter system is that it can park a car even when the driver is outside.

An automatic system requires the driver to be present at the steering wheel as the driver may need to shift the gearshift.

An autonomous system can do this on its own.

To date, only a few companies have developed and implemented an autonomous parking system - these are Volkswagen and Bosch, as well as BMW and Continental. The joint work of these companies is already used in new models of Volkswagen and BMW cars.

Such a system consists of almost the same components as an automatic self-parking system.

• electronic control unit;
• input devices;
• command execution device;
• laser and ultrasonic sensors.

A remote control is required. In this case, you do not necessarily need to be near the car, but the connection between the vehicle and the remote control must be stable.

Principle of operation

How to use the system? To start autonomous vehicle parking, you need to press the corresponding button on the remote control.

But this is no longer a keychain as it was before. Now it is a Smart Watch system or a special application on the driver’s smartphone.

It can be installed independently or when purchasing a car from a dealership. This is the principle of operation of the system.

Using a watch or an app, the car parks itself.

In addition, it can also independently move to the pick-up and drop-off point for a passenger or driver.

The system is designed in such a way that the computer independently decides what optimal speed to choose for a maneuver, whether the car needs to be accelerated or slowed down, at what angle the wheels should be positioned, or whether the gear lever needs to be shifted.

During this time, the driver and passengers can go about their business. During the “survey” of the territory with ultrasonic sensors, the system transmits all the necessary data to the control unit. Then the same data enters the vehicle control systems - engine, steering wheel, gearbox, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages

Automatic and autonomous parking systems have their own advantages and disadvantages.

The advantages include:

• significant savings in time and space;
  

  The system will help the driver park his car in a matter of minutes. In addition, the system can place a car in a space where there is no more distance from each side to the neighboring car. 20 cm.

• there is the possibility of remote control of the car;
  

  The car can independently reach the place where passengers are picked up and dropped off from the parking lot.

• The system is activated by pressing a button;
• the system can operate either with the participation of the driver or completely independently;
• the system will not make intentionally dangerous parking decisions.

But we should not forget that the system has a number of disadvantages.

These include:

• high cost;
  

  Cars equipped with automatic or autonomous self-parking systems are quite expensive. Sometimes their price exceeds several million rubles.

• the need for an original card or chip to be sewn into the control unit, and if a smartphone is used as a control panel, a special application must be downloaded;
  

  If you believe the monsters of high technology, soon all the equipment, including toothbrushes, in our homes will become smarter, will understand voice commands and support meaningful correspondence on Instagram. The auto industry has caught on to the trend for gadgets, but somehow in its own way. In the list of car equipment that is usually included in the concept of “rich equipment,” new items are constantly appearing. However, of those new options that have enriched the speech of dealership sales managers, a fair portion fall into the class of uninteresting, unnecessary and monstrously overpriced “features.”

  

  Issue price: 48,500 rub. (according to the price list of Ford Kuga in a package with bi-xenon headlights, which, in our opinion, can also save on).

  2. Lane control system

  In the movie "Back to the Future" we were promised that by 2015 cars would learn to fly, however, now automakers have moderated their ambitions. The main miracle that is now promised to motorists is driverless cars. New models are already “looking” at the world with radars, lidars (optical radars) and video cameras, but to no avail... So far, these devices are no more impressive than a robot vacuum cleaner. Take, for example, the lane keeping system, which detects "unintentional deviation from your lane and alerts the driver with a pulsed vibration of the steering wheel." Considering the cleanliness of our streets and highways, the “readability” of markings and the natural vibration of the entire body that our roads provide, the price of this option seems somewhat overpriced.

  

  Issue price: RUB 37,400 (according to the Mercedes CLA price list).

  3. Parking autopilot

  Another “hello” from the bright unmanned future, which has not yet arrived. Such developments make a great impression on two categories of people. Firstly, for those who had difficulty with courtyards in driving school, after which the fragile psyche of the novice driver was traumatized by the instructor’s shouts. Secondly, on the enthusiastic readers of the magazine "Pop. Mechanics" and viewers of the TV show "Galileo". Well, guess what, what a devil, the car parks itself! Those who know how to park themselves (and these are still the majority) usually witness this trick once in their life, after which they lose interest in it.

  
  

  Issue price: RUB 31,760 (according to the Volkswagen Tiguan price list).

  4. Keyless entry system

  When approaching the turnstiles of the Moscow Aeroexpress, you just need to present your bank card, and the payment will go through; you don’t need to buy a ticket. 21st century after all. Today you can find various contactless identification systems in office centers and in regular intercoms, and all the latest smartphone models have a built-in NFC chip for these purposes. Cheap technology in modern times. But not in the auto industry. The so-called chip key is usually included in expensive configurations, and if it can be ordered separately, the price will be comparable to a top-end smartphone.

  

  Issue price: RUB 34,960 (according to the Audi A4 price list).

  5. Regenerative braking and start-stop

  Over the past 20 years, automakers have firmly realized that the Western buyer will enthusiastically accept any new development if it says in large letters that it contributes to the fight for the environment and fuel economy. And if a beautiful animation is shown on the dashboard, showing that the car not only spends energy, but also produces (!), then the client’s heart will be won.

  Thus, a variety of manufacturers began to invent tricky names for their new systems: EfficientDynamics (BMW), i-ELOOP (Mazda), etc. And it is believed that the buyer does not mind spending money on such equipment. To get Mazda's braking energy recovery system, you need to take a top-end engine and the most expensive package, which costs one and a half times more than the base one.

  It is worth saying that driving a car with an energy recovery system is not for everyone. The brakes “grab” non-linearly: with uniform pressure on the pedal, the deceleration increases with a small jump - its strength depends on the model.

  The "Start-Stop" system, which turns off the engine at a traffic light or in a traffic jam, is also not for everyone. Moreover, Mazda now installs this equipment on a voluntary-compulsory basis - the 2.5 engine has it by default.

  Issue price: equipment is usually included in the price of the engine or top-end configuration, which can cost one and a half times more than the base one.

  6. Active cruise control

  This is the “elite” in the list of options of any brand. Few items will cost more. For this money, the electronics perform a small miracle: your car “clings” with an invisible cable to the car in front and begins to drive in its rhythm - accelerating and braking almost simultaneously. Well, more precisely, it looked like a miracle ten years ago, when Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS and other luxury sedans of the highest category received similar developments. Well, these models deserve their status; they are created according to Oscar Wilde’s principle: I can do without what is necessary, but I cannot live without what is superfluous. But for the buyer of a golf-class model, active cruise control is already difficult to justify. Especially at this price.

  

  Issue price: RUB 82,009 (according to the BMW 1 Series price list).

  7. Navigation system and DVD player

  They still exist! Moreover, just a few years ago, one luxury Japanese automaker (let's not point fingers) equipped its models with cassette recorders. Now, when smartphones and tablets are handed out for change at shawarma stalls, it is increasingly difficult to understand how you can pay several tens of thousands of rubles for a standard navigator, which in all respects is inferior to a cheap Chinese tablet. Moreover, we are on the verge of a small revolution that will soon wipe out car multimedia systems in their previous form from the face of the Earth. We are, of course, talking about the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto systems, which have been widely introduced in most new cars since 2015. The point of this equipment is that the phone becomes the head unit, and the screen in the center console of the car essentially becomes the second display of the mobile phone.

  

  Issue price: RUB 69,720 (RNS 120 navigation system according to the Volkswagen Tiguan price list), RUB 249,097. (multimedia system with DVD changer for 6 discs according to the Mercedes GLA price list).

  To the heap

  If the list of useless and overpriced options was limited to just these seven items, one could somehow live with it. But in reality, the car almost always comes with a whole bunch of different little things, and manufacturers are increasingly less likely to allow the client to refuse unnecessary things. For example, in the 2000s, the buyer of a Ford Focus had almost unlimited opportunities to shake up any configuration, adding and excluding certain items at his discretion. If you want a top-end engine, but at the same time want to save money on electrically adjustable mirrors - no problem. You need electric heating of the windshield, but you are not interested in rain and light sensors - please. Each car was assembled at the Vsevolozhsk plant according to the requirements of a specific customer. Now the choice is limited to several option packages.

  Car manufacturers seem to be stepping on the same rake that smartphone manufacturers have already gone through. Almost all leading companies used to be sure that the new model needed to be crammed with more cores, megapixels and other spherical technologies in a vacuum, the functionality of which was difficult for even advanced users to appreciate. And then it turned out that the trendsetter was not the most technically advanced device - the iPhone. Because it is not the most advanced idea that wins the market, but the best implementation. In the field of integration of high-tech and the automotive industry, our Steve Jobs has apparently not yet been born.

  And another “five cents”...

  

  Andrey Chepelev

  editor-in-chief website

  I agree with Pavel only partly. Car parking is an option for really, sorry, lost people. My girlfriend, who started driving less than six months ago, already parallel parks an almost five-meter long Volvo S80 without any visible difficulties. And I guess it’s not the dark hair color...

  People who buy a standard navigator are also a mystery to me. Although even more amusing are would-be car testers who regret to note the absence of this useless option with graphics at the level of the Dandy consoles of the 90s.

  For people who came up with the idea of ​​bringing automotive progress into an ecological dead end with this petty struggle for an extra 100 grams of gasoline, “start-stop”, hybrids, liter turbo engines and other “green” trinkets, a separate cauldron with boiling waste mineral oil has been prepared in hell.

  I would classify monitoring the markings as a useless option, since the absence of markings on Russian roads is not the fault of the automakers.

  But I’m ready to stand up for adaptive cruise, touch-sensitive trunk and keyless entry! All this really makes life a little easier. Although the cost... For that kind of money I’m probably willing to endure it for now.