Bosch to debut fully automated parking assist in 2015

German engineering company Robert Bosch has indicated that its fully automated parking assist system will make its market debut in 2015 – reports indicate that the company is in the midst of producing its Automatic Parking Assist (APA) for an automotive manufacturer, which Bosch did not identify.

The system – which was showcased at the CES earlier this year – works autonomously, with the operation being controlled through an app on a smartphone. The user simply gets out of the car in front of the parking spot, open a Bosch app on the phone (or through a dedicated button on the keyfob), press and hold the button to start the parking process.

The vehicle will then drive itself into – and back out of – the spot without anyone at the wheel. For safety reasons, one can abort or interrupt the operation by simply taking the finger off the button.

bosch apa system 2

A set of ultrasound sensors integrated into the side of the vehicle scans the surrounding area to identify a suitable parking space, and the system’s electronics then compute the parking maneouvre process and automatically guides the vehicle in and out of the parking space. Supposedly, it’s not just able to do parallel parking, but manoeuvre a vehicle in and out of garages too.

It’s an evolution of the company’s parking assistant that has been around since 2008 – where the current version still needs the driver to control the car by accelerating and braking, the new APA is fully automated.

The reports also say that the technology can aid lane-keeping on highways, and adds that Bosch is working on an automated lane-changing system that should be ready for market use by the end of the decade.

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Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • kzm (Member) on Apr 15, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    nice…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 4
  • holofanboi on Apr 15, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    Oho?

    So they finally finished up on the legal side of things to put their name on the system. Well…considering that they DID develop most of the system in house, I guess its only fair that they market the ‘bosch’ to get credit for it.

    Afterall, Ford and Kia have profited from it for quite a few years now without having to credit anyone. (Different module certification though)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
    • Hyundai DeLa Junk (Member) on Apr 16, 2014 at 6:18 pm

      This is so stupid. It will be a failure. People want to park themselves.

      Its like the vacuum robot. Not selling well. People rather vacuum themselves.

      Stupid Bosch. Never do market research

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
  • i would buy it!
    launch it fast!

    sometimes really have hard time to navigate parking with my mazda6 touring

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
  • Samad Jain on Apr 15, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    i didn’t know parking a car is such a hassle…..until we need automation.

    Wonder what’s next? A car that can change its own punctured tyre, while the driver inside enjoys the aircond.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 1
    • kangkong on Apr 16, 2014 at 12:13 am

      New tyre without air, so no puncture tyre anymore.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
    • blabla on Apr 16, 2014 at 12:57 am

      LOL..
      Auto drive..
      Auto avoid accident..
      Auto honk
      Auto signal.

      hehe

      Auto detect ah moi.. =P

      Technology is so gay now

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 18 Thumb down 2
  • mr jem on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:14 am

    dont drive it at the 1st place if parking a car is a hassle to u. hahaha…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • rempit on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:23 am

    Just how lazy humans can be nowadays…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
  • Lane Tamer on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:47 am

    Yeay! Good news for women drivers out there…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • gopark on Apr 16, 2014 at 9:00 am

    highly recommended for double park retarded

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Denaihati on Apr 16, 2014 at 11:19 am

    very good, less risk car scratches, i think it is very important equip to lorry and bus or any other big vehicle.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • What? on Apr 16, 2014 at 12:36 pm

    Hmm… interesting, found parking space, get out of the car and let the car park itself. Impressive!.. wait.. the car key still in the car !!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • DrCooper on Apr 16, 2014 at 5:14 pm

    not suitable to use in this third world country where drivers are all selfish monkeys

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Samad Jain on Apr 16, 2014 at 8:29 pm

    Maybe this technology help ppl with certain disability.
    For able person, please dont use it, unless you feel retarded.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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