Volvo introduces automatic parking system
Volvo has developed a revolutionary autonomous parking system. Thanks to him, the vehicle independently finds a free parking space and occupies it - even when the driver is not in the car. In order to make the parking procedure safe, the car also communicates with other cars, detects pedestrians and other objects in the parking lot. The system will be carried over to the new Volvo XC90, which will have its world premiere at the end of 2014. Earlier, in just a few weeks, a concept car with this system will be presented to journalists at a special private show.
Autonomous parking technology is a conceptual system that frees the driver from labor-intensive obligations. 
search for a free parking space. The driver simply leaves the car at the entrance to the car park to pick it up later at the same location,” describes Thomas Broberg, senior safety adviser at Volvo Car Group.
To use the full potential of the system, the car park must be equipped with the appropriate infrastructure that interacts with the vehicle system. The driver will then receive a message stating that an autonomous parking service is available at that location. Activated with a mobile phone. The car then uses special sensors to find a free parking space and get to it. When the driver returns to the parking lot and wants to leave it, everything is done in reverse order.
Interaction with other vehicles and road users
Thanks to systems that allow the car to move independently, detect obstacles and brake, it can move safely between other cars and pedestrians present in the parking lot. The braking speed and force are adapted to the conditions prevailing in such circumstances.
“The basic assumption we made is that self-propelled vehicles must be able to move safely in an environment that is also used by traditional cars and other vulnerable road users,” notes Thomas Broberg.
Pioneer in autonomous technology
Volvo Car Group has been intensively developing safety technology, in which it has long been a leader. The company is also investing in autonomous parking and automated convoy driving systems.
Volvo was the only car manufacturer to participate in the SARTRE (Safe Road Trains for the Environment) program, which was successfully completed in 2012. This unique project, involving seven European technology partners, focused on technologies that could be used on ordinary roads, allowing cars to move in special columns.
The SARTRE convoy consisted of a steerable truck followed by four Volvo vehicles moving autonomously at speeds up to 90 km/h. In some cases, the distance between cars was only four meters.
Autonomous steering on the next XC90
Autonomous parking and convoy technologies are still under development. However, in an effort to remain at the forefront of technology innovation, we will introduce the first autonomous steering components in the new Volvo XC90, which will be launched in late 2014,” concludes Thomas Broberg.
