According to MSNBC.com, Ford is planning on debuting this self-parking technology on their 2010 Lincoln MXS sedan and the Lincoln MKT luxury crossover vehicle.  Ford plans to put this self-parking technology in 90% of its Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles with this electric power steering by 2012. 

This technology uses ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear of the car, combined with electric power steering to angle and guide the vehicle into snug parking spaces, all by just pushing a button.  Lexus has a a special parking technology too, but it is a video camera parking system that can tell you whether you have enough room to park in a certain spot.  According to Ford, their new self-parking technology is ”easier to use and works in downhill parking situations, unlike competing systems.” 

Here’s what you have to do as the driver of this new system.  You need to shift the transmission and operate the gas and brake pedals, as a person would do for you if they were standing outside of your vehicle.  The driver never touches the steering wheel.  Pretty neat!  I would love this, since my parallel parking has much to be desired! 

This self-parking technology also monitors blind spots, and it warns the driver with a indicator light that something is detected or traffic is approaching.  This new electric power steering can help to improve fuel economy and reduce carbon emissions, because it is powered by the battery in the car.  This self-parking technology will be featured at the Detroit Auto Show next week. 

 

    

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 4th, 2009 at 9:39 am and is filed under Car Techology. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.