Idle Chat: Improving Parking Tech the Idle Chat Way
Ford and Lexus both have technology that allows a car to parallel-park itself, Infiniti gives drivers a 360-degree view around them via multiple cameras, and rear-view cameras are widely available from the factory. While we are sometimes impressed by and often grateful for the aid they give drivers, parking technology could be better. This week's Idle Chat Topic is How Would You Improve Parking Technology?
Ms. MacKinnon: As helpful as they can be, sometimes rear-view cameras and their ilk can be confusing from a spatial relations standpoint. Here's my solution: a computer version of rolling your window down and having your friend who is standing outside the car to give you verbal directions and/or hand signs. Just like she helps me navigate my way to a new Starbucks, the calm, friendly British woman who lives inside my nav system could peek around the car with her fancy technology and then announce that I am still 23 inches from the curb.
Mr. Romans: We've yet to test Ford's system, but the automated parallel-park system in the LS 460 leaves much to be desired. The proclivity of modern cars to have poor outward visibility isn't helping, either. What I suggest, Bryn, rather than fixing the technology, is that you and I start taking lessons in handbrake parking. We won't need to valet anymore, and once mastered, we'll be the envy of the rest of the Edmunds editorial staff for sure.
Idle Chat is hosted by Brent Romans and Bryn MacKinnon, two editors at Edmunds.com. Each Sunday in the Idle Chat Lounge (read: in a school yard, practicing U-turns on a tandem unicycle), they pontificate on a topic that's kinda about cars.
- Posted by
- Bryn MacKinnon July 19, 2009, 3:00 AM
- Permalink
- Categories:
- Automotive Technology, Idle Chat
- Technorati Tags:
- Backup Camera, idle chat, Infiniti, Lexus, parking technology, Rear-View Cameras
Better visibility in cars and better training for drivers.... and if you still can't do something as simple as park your car then better public transportation.
I thought someone at Edmunds had used the Ford system and found it head and shoulders above the Lexus...
Russ Swift = pure win
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wF_ZYQoOJik