Ford Showcases Self-Parking Car Technology 233
MojoKid writes "Although the dream of roads full of driverless cars is a ways off, several companies such as Tesla and Google are taking steps toward that goal by developing self-driving car technology. Ford is now also demonstrating self-parking technology called Fully Assisted Parking Aid that will actually help a driver locate a spot and then make the car automatically park itself--without the driver inside. Indeed, you'll be able to hop out of the car and use a smartphone app to tell your car to park itself. This is ideal for both parking in tight spaces (i.e., you don't have to squeeze your way out of your vehicle while trying not to bang the next car's door) and for those who are just terrible at parking to begin with."
Same as all other cars? (Score:1, Interesting)
So it works exactly like the autoparking on Toyotas, Volvos, Mercedes and probably many other cars with the only distinction that you don't need your foot on the brake? That seems to be a policy choice not a technological leap...
Not really new (Score:4, Interesting)
I was in the passenger seat of a high-end BMW the other day that did exactly that: the driver drove slowly along the row of parked cars until the car beeped, then he let go of the steering wheel, reversed and let the car park itself. Quite amazing really...
Re: Right (Score:4, Interesting)
if you can drive 1000miles why cant you park in small tight spaces
If you can get a computer to do it more safely and more efficiently, why wouldn't you? And I'm talking about parking and driving.
Re:Use in driving tests? (Score:3, Interesting)
Similarly, in the future, I believe there will be multiple types of licenses based on the level of automation you want your car to have. If you have a license for fully automatic cars, you may only drive those. If your license semi-automatic, self-parking only, you may drive your car but the parking must be automatic. If you have a normal license, you can do whatever you want. So basically learning these "old-chool" techniques will grant the right to manually drive cars (or drive old cars), if necessary. If you don't care about driving, than you may get an easier test, but if you need to do a maneuver you either ask someone else or upgrade your license.
How to enforce this system? I suspect as cars become more intelligent, coupled with our increasing world wide surveillance state, future license cards will also have ID chips and biometrics so that the car recognizes who can or cannot drive.
Comment removed (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Except... (Score:2, Interesting)
Ford has released info saying their cars will park into a spot you normally couldn't fit. Ford hasn't released info about how the other guy is supposed to get out. It's valid to call Ford out on this.
Re: Dumber and dumber (Score:2, Interesting)
Wrong. It is a right and we need to stop letting people with agendas try to redefine it otherwise.
Having to demonstrate competence with something dangerous that can hurt others and not being permitted to engage in that activity otherwise is not an infringement on a right.
A privilege, on the other hand, can be regulated for reasons unrelated to the activity. Allowing control freaks to call driving a privilege is what spawns idiot laws like revoking drivers licenses for unrelated stuff like dropping out of school, not paying child support, etc. That sort of thing should never have been allowed to start, but stupid people seem ok with anything that's allegedly for the children or some other good cause.
Re:Dumber and dumber (Score:4, Interesting)
My dad installed aftermarket cruise control for the first time because a drive that should have taken 5 hours took 3.
If cruise control is the difference between 3 hours at 50 mph average and 5 hours at 30 mph average then there's something very seriously wrong with his driving skills. Yeah some people don't stick to the posted speed limits but the road rage and percieved loss is vasty exaggerated compared to actual time lost. Spending five minutes behind a guy that does 48 mph instead of 60 mph feels like forever but all it means is an hour's drive takes 61 minutes instead of 60. I don't know how it could take two hours longer unless he's practically asleep at the wheel and constantly down to half the posted limit.