I’m talking of course about the parallel parking device, invented by students at the University of Toledo.

The device is fairly simple–a set of hydraulics raises the back end of the car slightly off the ground and, via a separate control, allows the back end to be moved, horizontally, effectively “swinging” it into a parking space.  The video of same is directly below.

Now, I don’t know about you, but if a handful of college kids could put this on themselves, I don’t know how this isn’t standard on every car.  It can’t cost that much–as I said, college kids put it on.  And helpful?  You can rest assured it would be.  This is the kind of thing we need a lot more of.

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The whole system seems to be like giving a car a mind of its own. But while it seems dandy, you have to wonder if the system is full proof and free from issues. One issue is what should happen if it should malfunction in the middle of the parking motion. While most cars have sensors, would it stop or leave you in a precarious position?

The new technology has been said to be set out and among the vehicles that carry this technology is the 2010 Ford Taurus. Regardless, the people who have issues on parallel parking may finally be put to rest although some questions in mind may need to be explained further.

(Source) Dvice

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The new Escape, in showrooms this summer, will add MyKey(TM) teen-safety technology, Integrated Spotter Mirrors – both offered standard (MyKey on XLT and above models) – optional Rear View Camera System and SYNC with real-time Traffic, Directions and Information. The new model also will be the North America’s first SUV to offer Active Park Assist, which uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the vehicle into a parking spot.

The 2010 Ford Escape’s standard safety technologies also include:

• AdvanceTrac(R) with RSC(R) (Roll Stability Control) – the world’s only system with a gyroscopic sensor that actively measures and helps prevent both side-to-side “yaw” and roll movements
• Safety Canopy(TM) – a side air curtain technology offering protection for the first and second seating rows, and helps provide rollover and ejection protection with extended deployment in rollovers
• Personal Safety System(R) – a suite of seven safety technologies, including new dual-stage front air bags for the driver and front-seat passenger, side air bags and a front passenger sensor system
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System – alerts drivers when tire pressure is low. Properly inflated tires not only are important for safety – they also can help improve fuel economy.

(Source) Press

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Driving is easy but parking, particularly in a parallel manner, may be the real challenge with regards to mastering. Normally, street parking would follow a parallel parking pattern and for sure, the not-so-good parkers will take a long time to properly place their car to the allocated slot.

Ford has come up with a good aid to help drivers who are having difficulty in parking in the parallel manner. Known as the Ford Active Park Assist, parallel parking problems may soon be addressed with this new innovation brought to us by Ford motors. The said feature will be available to all new Lincolns that the company sells.

With sensors on the front and rear of the vehicle, the system identifies a parking space. While parking, the system advises the driver about the proximity of other cars and objects through visual or audible cues, or both. The driver can interrupt the automated procedure at any time.

Source

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