BEHAVIOR
For the parking-impaired (like me), the autopark or self-park drives the car into tight parallel parking spots. They also assist with backing into a parking space. Less sophisticated systems provide distance warnings
as the cars backs up.
HABITAT
Some of the electronics are housed in the dashboard, but the controlling computer is mounted inside the trunk. Sensors are mounted in the front and rear bumpers and on the fenders.
HOW IT WORKS
Several sensors detect other cars and estimate the distance to them. They also estimate how much space is available in the parking space and the distance to the curb. Data is fed into a computer that calculates
the optimal steering angles and then controls the car’s steering. System sensors are energized when the driver puts the transmission in reverse. The computer alerts the driver when to shift gears and when
to stop. The driver controls the car’s speed, by pressing on the brake pedal, and the transmission—forward and reverse. The computer controls the steering.
Sensors use ultrasound sonar to measure the distance to any objects. Sonar systems measure the length of time between the sending of a pulse and receiving a reflection of the pulse. The longer the
time, the farther away the object is.While backing up, the sensors trigger a warning beep played on a
piezoelectric speaker inside the car. As the car gets closer to another vehicle or other object behind it, the pace of the beeps increases. Some systems also have a video screen that illustrates how close the car is getting to the object behind it. More elaborate systems, like those found on some models of Lexus, have a video camera to show what is behind the car. The video screens have touch screen controls
so the driver can tell the system where he or she wants to park. These systems are new and only a few car models have them. They seem to be popular with car buyers, so expect to see more models available soon.
© 2009 by Ed Sobey
All rights reserved
Published by Chicago Review Press, Incorporated
814 North Franklin Street
Chicago, Illinois 60610
ISBN: 978-1-55652-812-5
Printed in the United States of America
5 4 3 2 1
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sobey, Edwin J. C., 1948–
A field guide to automotive technology / Ed Sobey.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-55652-812-5
1. Automobiles—Popular works. 2. Mechanics—Popular works. I. Title.
TL146.5.S63 2008
629.2—dc22
2008046620
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