Likely you've heard that Audi will campaign a driverless TTS coupe in this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. Actually, the car has a driver, but said driver isn't a human, but a robot named Junior.
Now we have Junior 2, who happens to be driving this Volkswagen Passat wagon. The Passat isn't quite U.S.-spec, as you'll note the TDI badges -- VW hasn't offered a diesel version of the current-gen Passat in the United States.
In any case, Junior 2 is going to back this Passat wagon into a parking space without tapping other cars -- he's an "autonomous valet" if you will. The robot apparently integrates a comparatively ordinary night-vision camera and an adaptive cruise control radar unit with two laser sensors.
And just look how expediently he parks the Passat. Soon enough, we'll all be asked to step out of the car when it's time to park.
thejohnp says:
10:06 AM, 04/15/10
Certainly seems to park better than most people trying to back into a space.
firstwagon says:
10:06 AM, 04/15/10
Cool technology but I don't really see the point of it. Parking is the easiest and safest part of driving. I can think of better things to spend money on.
brn says:
10:27 AM, 04/15/10
I'm more impressed with the driving than the parking.
You can buy vehicles today that will parallel park for you.
cr_driver says:
10:28 AM, 04/15/10
Neat stuff!
norsairius says:
11:18 AM, 04/15/10
wow! backs into the space and everything! that's pretty impressive!
it certainly did a better job than I would backing into a space, haha.
prodrive says:
11:19 AM, 04/15/10
Wow, Can't any one do any thing for them selfs anymore ...? Sure its cool, but does any one turely need it ? If so thay better just give up driving.
f1ndler says:
04:59 PM, 04/15/10
to firstwagon: It's very convenient. Once you arrived at the shopping mall you go shopping and your car looks for the parking space.
I'm curious how this technology can be applied with street parking and reading the parking signs. Imagine if this car parks on a handicap spot and you get a ticket for that. Or if it gets towed away will it find the way back to the place where it was towed from:)
brn says:
08:51 PM, 04/15/10
"to firstwagon: It's very convenient. Once you arrived at the shopping mall you go shopping and your car looks for the parking space. "
That's neat. When I'm done shopping can I speak into my watch and ask KITT to come pick me up?
firstwagon says:
12:00 AM, 04/16/10
OK I'm sold.
If I Kitt will come and pick me up then it is worth my money. :)
DLu says:
06:04 AM, 04/16/10
Is that a glass of wine? Sorry, random ... hehe
Every once in a while I get this chill that one day all cars will be autopilot-driven so that essentially we end up with trains again, just with unconnected cars ...