Automotive

Volvo's autonomous self-parking car

Volvo's autonomous self-parking car
Vehicle sensors and cameras scan for pedestrians and vehicles, then trigger braking and steering adjustments as needed
Vehicle sensors and cameras scan for pedestrians and vehicles, then trigger braking and steering adjustments as needed
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Vehicle sensors and cameras scan for pedestrians and vehicles, then trigger braking and steering adjustments as needed
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Vehicle sensors and cameras scan for pedestrians and vehicles, then trigger braking and steering adjustments as needed
Once the car has found a spot it sends the owner a notification of its location and that it has parked safely
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Once the car has found a spot it sends the owner a notification of its location and that it has parked safely
Self parking car seeks out an open parking space and when identified, parks itself and waits for the retrieve command
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Self parking car seeks out an open parking space and when identified, parks itself and waits for the retrieve command
Smart phone app signals the car to return to the owner at a designated location
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Smart phone app signals the car to return to the owner at a designated location
Drivers signal the vehicle to park via a smart phone app once the vehicle has been exited at a pre-determined location
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Drivers signal the vehicle to park via a smart phone app once the vehicle has been exited at a pre-determined location
Autonomous system uses Vehicle 2 Infrastructure technology and in-road sensors to inform drivers of drop off and pick up locations
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Autonomous system uses Vehicle 2 Infrastructure technology and in-road sensors to inform drivers of drop off and pick up locations
Self parking car uses existing autonomous technology Volvo has developed through its SARTRE road-train program
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Self parking car uses existing autonomous technology Volvo has developed through its SARTRE road-train program
Autonomous program is designed to free up driver's time, otherwise taken up searching for parking spots and walking to a fro aforementioned parking locations
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Autonomous program is designed to free up driver's time, otherwise taken up searching for parking spots and walking to a fro aforementioned parking locations
Autonomous system is still conceptual but the following video shows the system can function in real world situations
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Autonomous system is still conceptual but the following video shows the system can function in real world situations
View gallery - 9 images

Volvo Car Group, known for building safe cars, has been busy expanding its autonomous portfolio. Last year Volvo finished its multi-vehicle “Safe Road Train” (SARTRE) program in Europe with reasonable success. Next week Volvo will again bolster its autonomous program with its self-parking concept car.

According to Volvo, the new autonomous concept program would allow drivers to drop their car off near a parking lot in a designated zone, activate the autonomous smart phone app, and the car does the rest. Working off Volvo’s modified autonomous technology, the car then seeks out an open parking space and when identified, parks itself and waits for the retrieve command. Once the car has found a spot it sends the owner a notification of its location and that it has parked. Volvo's Vehicle 2 Infrastructure technology in-road sensors are required to inform drivers of drop off locations and activate the system.

To avoid autonomous road rage and traffic incidents, Volvo has programmed the vehicle and its various sensors and cameras to interact in a safe and courteous manner with both pedestrians and competing vehicles. To retrieve the car, owners can either walk to where the car has located itself, or using Volvo’s smart phone app signal the car which will then autonomously make its way back to the owner at the designated pick up zone.

Although the system is still conceptual at this point, the accompanying video provides reasonable proof that the autonomous program can function in real world situations. Volvo claims autonomous steering will be available in the 2014 Volvo XC90. Self parking however will remain a hands-on responsibility until Volvo perfects the self-parking technology.

See Volvo's video below for more.

Source: Volvo Car Group

View gallery - 9 images
3 comments
3 comments
dsiple
Say goodbye to valet parking!
Slowburn
Sense the car will drop you off and pick you up at the door it should look for a parking spot on the far end of the parking lot leaving the closer spots to those with lesser vehicles.
Stephen N Russell
Hey Volvo, Im willing to try this IE test drive model for parking etc Need Galaxy 5 phone though OK From Verizon.Im in for a test subject. See 1963 Chrysler turbine model car. Same Today only bigger audience.