Autonomous Vehicle Technological Momentum: Automated Valet Parking in China

I heard this was coming in 2014 while at a conference at Stanford University. The technological momentum related to this is irrepressible.

• Through Automated Valet Parking, the user can retrieve the vehicle via their smartphone app.
•  First Automated Valet Parking demonstration of Daimler and Bosch in China
• Automated Valet Parking is based on intelligent infrastructure and allows drivers to instruct their vehicle via smartphone to make its own way to a parking space
• Dr. Hans Georg Engel: “Automated Valet Parking is an important milestone toward autonomous driving.”
• Ming Chen: “Automated Valet Parking makes manually parking a thing of the past. It saves drivers time and reduces stress.”
• Driverless parking is a solution for new urban mobility needs

Beijing – Daimler and Bosch have announced the successful premiere of their joint Automated Valet Parking pilot in Beijing. The technology, which debuted in the parking garage at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart in 2017, symbolizes a pioneering effort in infrastructure-supported driverless parking and marks the first pilot of its kind in China. Automated Valet Parking, to the extent legally allowed where used, enables vehicles to proceed to an assigned space and for the user to retrieve the vehicle via their smartphone. This will undergo further testing by Daimler and Bosch at the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development Center.

In modern urban parking environments, shortages of parking spaces, locating suitable parking spots, and other issues, present inconveniences for vehicle owners. Automated Valet Parking has the capacity to ease difficulties involved in the parking process by automating it, saving time and effort, and opening up new possibilities for vehicle owners.

The Automated Valet Parking journey begins when the user parks the vehicle in a designated drop-off area before sending it to be parked using the smartphone app. After being registered by the intelligent system infrastructure installed in the car park, the vehicle is started and guided to an assigned parking space. Sensors installed in the car park monitor the driving corridor and its surroundings while steering the vehicle. The vehicle’s onboard technology safely maneuvers it in response to commands from the intelligent car park infrastructure, stopping the vehicle in good time when necessary. When a user is ready to pick up the car, it can be called through a smartphone app, after which it rolls to the pick-up area without a driver.

Prof. Dr. Hans Georg Engel, Head of Mercedes-Benz Research and Development China:“Automated Valet Parking is an important milestone on the road towards autonomous driving. Through our strong partnership with Bosch, we will adapt this technology to meet local needs. In the process, we will not only convenience vehicle owners, saving them time and energy, but also do our part to help bring automated driving technology to the next level.”

Ming Chen, President of Bosch Connected Mobility Solutions in China: “Automated Valet Parking is another new endeavor for Bosch and Daimler to strive for ‘accident free, stress free and emission free’ future mobility. Automated Valet Parking makes manually parking a thing of the past and helps vehicle owners to save time and ease stress. This
pilot also demonstrates Bosch’ transformation into a mobility service provider in close collaboration with our long-term strategic partner Daimler in the Chinese market.”

The pilot in Beijing demonstrated Automated Valet Parking’s upgraded and more practical, real-world functionality. At the event, two vehicles were tested simultaneously to mirror the unique and complex traffic conditions found in contemporary Chinese cities. Both vehicles were also able to successfully navigate to a service area that could be equipped with a diverse range of facilities in the future. These might include charging infrastructure, car washing stations, express package pick-up and other features designed to meet the unique needs of Chinese customers.

Automated Valet Parking is an efficient solution for both car park management and vehicle users. Car parks equipped with this intelligent infrastructure as far as legally allowed can potentially accommodate up to 20 percent more vehicles, while users save time and enjoy greater convenience.

The technology marks a milestone in automated driving for Daimler, which is one of the core pillars of the C.A.S.E. strategy. In July, Daimler announced it is the first international automaker to receive a road test license for highly automated driving research vehicles (level 4) in Beijing.

About Mercedes-Benz Research and Development China

Daimler’s local R&D efforts began in 2005 with the first localized Mercedes-Benz E Class. Since then, it has continued shaping mobility by developing products and services with the aim to best fit the needs of local consumers. In 2014 the Mercedes-Benz Research and Development China Center in Beijing was opened, allowing the company to better learn the needs and tastes of Chinese customers. The number of designers and engineers is now almost three times larger than in 2014. Daimler will continue to invest in local R&D, enabling the company to emphasize C.A.S.E. topics and tailor them to the Chinese market.