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Self-Parking Car Available In Japan

Posted by simoniker on from the or-try-the-monster-truck-parking-method dept.

sinjayde writes "Yahoo!/Reuters is reporting that Toyota has released a car for sale in Japan that is able to park itself: 'Toyota's new hybrid gasoline-electric Prius sedan uses electrically operated power steering and sensors that help guide the car when reversing into parking spaces.'" No need to rely on the reverse parking formula anymore?

6 of 352 comments (clear)

  1. Who pays? by moehoward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Will your insurance company pick it up if you (I mean it) damages another car?

    In the US, these have to pass some rigorous gov't inspection and testing before they are allowed on the road. I don't think I want the liability.

    Is parking really that hard? Are people really that stupid and lazy? Don't answer that. Can I get a robot to feed me my cereal in the morning?

    --
    "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." - Epictetus
    1. Re:Who pays? by EvilTwinSkippy · · Score: 4, Interesting
      The way liability insurance is structured, you pay regardless. Anyone, and by logical extension, anything you grant control of the car is covered by your policy.

      I don't think you will have the option of recovering damages from the manufacturer. You ultimately pulled the switch that told the car to auto-park.

      --
      "Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival."
      --Dr.W.Edwards Deming
  2. Not new by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This is not new. I've seen a similar system nearly 12 years ago used by a handicapped photographer at my high school. His car was retrofitted with a very similar system that would park the car by itself.

  3. I can't say I... by bob670 · · Score: 4, Interesting

    really enjoy driving anymore as it is, and with most major metros (and smaller metros as well) experiencing some level of gridlock, I drive as little as possible in areas where this would be of any real use. I know we are talking about a car company, but I would rather see this kind of effort go in to public transportation/mass transit.

  4. highways and magnets by doormat · · Score: 4, Interesting

    The freeway you're talking about is Interstate 15 near San Diego, CA. They built a single lane, multi-mile segment on the inside median, with magnets under the road every 100'. The car would be programed to follow the magnets and make course corrections. There were also ultrasonic sensors on the front and back. The demo had 3 cars at 100mph, 10' apart with the system engaged.

    --
    The Doormat

    If you're not outraged, then you're not paying attention.
  5. Glad to see they put this in a hybird car. by ModernGeek · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I love the Hybrid car philosophy, it is a step away from gas-guzzling SUV's. This is a great incentive for people to buy a Prius over another car too, and the body on the new models look alot better than the older ones. My friends dad has a Prius, and it drives fast, and it rides ALOT more smooth than a traditional car. I just don't know why this idea was never embrassed before. Also, how come we don't have cars that can drive themself on the interstate? It doesn't seem like it would be hard at all, since they could just implement sensors into an interstate quite simply since it is all managed by the government, an open standard could be created by the Govt, and all the car companies could follow.

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    Sig: I stole this sig.