1：What is it for?
The system automatically assists in parking and even exiting parking spaces without the need for manual steering.
2：Advantages:
Automatic parking is convenient for new drivers and saves effort for experienced drivers.
It helps prevent scratches and collisions caused by parking errors.
3：Misconceptions:
Even with the assistance of automatic parking systems, driver attention is still required, and observation and confirmation are necessary.
Not all gaps can be used for automatic parking; additional space must be reserved to meet the system's requirements.
Automatic parking still requires some driver inputs, such as controlling the brakes and shifting to the appropriate gear as guided. The system immediately stops when there is driver intervention, such as steering.
4：Did you know?
After activating the automatic parking system, the vehicle typically searches for suitable parking spaces. Not all parking spaces are compatible with automatic parking. Nowadays, systems support not only parallel parking but also perpendicular parking.
Different car models and brands have varying methods and conditions for activating their automatic parking systems.
When leaves, debris, or ice cover the curbside, the parking assist system may have difficulty recognizing the curb. Moreover, leaves and ice can cause significant scattering of ultrasonic signals, leading to weak echo signals that may result in errors.
If there are small obstacles like bollards on the parking space, the system may not detect them and consider the space as available. Lowering the vehicle speed can increase the system's ability to recognize small objects in the parking space.
5：Technical principle:
Radar sensors located around the vehicle measure the distance and angles between the car and surrounding objects. The onboard computer then calculates the operational procedure and adjusts the steering wheel's movement according to the vehicle's speed.
The system consists of an environmental data collection system, a central processor, and a vehicle strategy control system. The environmental data collection system includes an image capture system and an onboard distance detection system, which collect image and distance data of surrounding objects and transmit it to the central processor via data lines.
The central processor analyzes the collected data to determine the car's current position, target position, and surrounding environmental parameters. Based on these parameters, the automatic parking strategy is formulated and converted into electrical signals.
The vehicle strategy control system receives the electrical signals and controls the car's movements, such as angle and direction, until it parks in the designated space.
6：Further reading:
Different automatic parking systems use various methods to detect objects around the vehicle. Some systems install sensors around the front and rear bumpers, which serve as both transmitters and receivers. These sensors emit signals that reflect back when they encounter obstacles around the car. The onboard computer then uses the time taken to receive the signals to determine the position of the obstacles. Other systems use cameras or radars mounted on the bumpers to detect obstacles. However, the end result is the same: the car detects parked vehicles, measures parking space size, and determines the distance from the curbside, allowing the vehicle to park itself.
