Comments on: Ford’s Active Parking Assist: Why Bother?

By: Randy

Randy — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 13:49:50 +0000

Comments like “If you can’t parrallel [sic] park a car then you should not have a drivers license” are similar to dismissing stability systems because drivers without advanced vehicle handling skills shouldn’t be driving. The fact of the matter is that parallel parking can be a challenge for any driver simply because of the large number of variables involving the size of the space, flanking vehicles and characteristics of the vehicle being parked. I’ve tested the Lexus system, which is so poorly executed that it can’t successfully park more often than not, but I’ve also tested the equipment that Ford’s system is based on and it really works well– I could part a car in a space only about a foot longer than the vehicle, although spaces that small require rocking back and forth sever times. Griffith doesn’t seem to understand that automated control of transmission, gas, brake and steering constitutes a drive by wire system and is several orders of magnitude beyond steering-only control for cost, programming, and liability. Ford’s system steers via commands to the electric power steering system, which most or all vehicles will have in a few years anyway. The only extra cost is the ultrasonic sensors in the bumpers, which are not high cost items. As I mentioned, I’ve used this system and it really takes the worry (about chunking your 20″ wheels or scratching your paint) out of parking. Even though I’m very good at parallel parking, I enjoyed using it and found it very helpful when spaces were somewhat tight. Also, as I’m getting older now, being able to parallel park quickly and accurately without having to do bodily contortions is nice too. My wife loved it too. (She will park two blocks away to get a double spot that she can pull forward into.) Here’s one area where Toyota did not get the big advantage by early adopting. Ford picked the right suppliers for their EPS and parking assist systems and have one that really works well. Good job Ford!!

By: theOne

theOne — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 18:33:35 +0000

@Colin yeah... and we know there are hardly any 'city folk' anymore. it's not like the population is growing or anything. or that cities have been getting larger and larger.

By: jgoods

jgoods — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:30:31 +0000

@Edward Edward: Haven't you waited while a "licensed driver" tried three times to parallel park? If we eliminated licenses for all these people, most of the elderly and new young drivers would be walking (maybe a good idea?). Come on, man, you know that Ford had studied this problem extensively before investing in all that dumb technology to attract these marginal drivers and keep them on the road, raising insurance rates for the rest of us.

By: Edward

Edward — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 15:26:59 +0000

this is silly. If you can’t parrallel park a car then you should not have a drivers license. There are basic functions that just have to be able to do. Its not that hard….

By: Jackie

Jackie — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 13:31:29 +0000

It would seem if they could develop a car that could tell you how to drive, they would just invent the car that could do it themselves. There is nothing worse than having someone tell you how to drive! Great article.

By: ann

ann — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 22:26:57 +0000

And those that parallel park on a regular basis pretty much know how to do it already.

By: Colin

Colin — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:51:22 +0000

I completely agree, seems like a waste of r&d funds. How many people would actually use this? I’m willing to bet that a very small percentage of drivers parallel park on a regular basis (basically only city folk).