Park Pilot
SécuritéAverage price
500€ - 2000€
Park Pilot is a semi-automatic parking assistance system designed to simplify and secure parking maneuvers. Much more advanced than a basic parking aid, which simply alerts the driver to the proximity of obstacles, Park Pilot actively takes over steering wheel movements. Once activated at low speed, the system uses its ultrasonic sensors located on the bumpers to scan and identify suitable parking spaces, whether parallel or perpendicular. When a sufficient space is detected, the system signals it to the driver via the infotainment screen. The driver then simply needs to follow the instructions, engage reverse gear, and control the vehicle's speed using the accelerator and brake pedals. The vehicle autonomously performs all the steering movements necessary to park with precision. This technology significantly reduces stress, prevents minor collisions, and makes it possible to utilize spaces that might have seemed too tight. The driver remains in control at all times and can interrupt the maneuver at any moment.
Benefits
- ✓Significant reduction in stress and anxiety related to parking maneuvers.
- ✓Prevention of scratches and minor bumps thanks to centimeter-precise guidance.
- ✓Ability to park in tighter spaces with great ease.
- ✓Time-saving and increased comfort, especially in dense urban environments.
Learn more
What is Park Pilot?
Park Pilot, also known as park assist or a semi-automatic parking system, is an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that significantly simplifies parking maneuvers. Unlike simple parking sensors that emit beeps, Park Pilot goes a step further by taking control of the steering to guide the vehicle into a parking space. The driver no longer needs to worry about the steering angle; they simply manage the speed and braking while supervising the operation.
How does Park Pilot work?
The magic of Park Pilot relies on a synergy of several onboard technologies. The process generally takes place in a few simple steps:
- Activation: The driver activates the system via a button on the center console, usually while driving at low speed (under 30 km/h).
- Detection: Ultrasonic sensors integrated into the front and rear bumpers scan the sides of the road for a sufficiently large parking space. The system can identify parallel and bay parking spaces.
- Validation: Once a suitable space is found, the system displays it on the central screen and asks the driver to stop and engage reverse gear.
- Maneuver: The driver lets go of the steering wheel. The system then takes control of the electric power steering to perform the perfect steering and counter-steering. The driver remains in charge of acceleration and braking, following visual and acoustic instructions.
- Finalization: The system guides the car to its final position and tells the driver when the maneuver is complete. On the newest systems, the function may also include pull-out assist.
The tangible benefits of assisted parking
Adopting Park Pilot on a vehicle brings undeniable comfort and safety to daily driving. The primary benefit is the near-total elimination of stress associated with parallel parking, especially on narrow and busy streets. For drivers who are uncomfortable with this task, it is a true revolution. Moreover, the system's millimeter precision helps prevent minor bumps and scratches on the wheels or bodywork, thus preserving the vehicle's value. It also optimizes space by achieving perfect parking, even in spaces that seemed too tight at first glance. Finally, some advanced systems, coupled with a 360° camera, offer an overview that makes the maneuver even safer and more intuitive.
Limitations and the driver's role
It is crucial to remember that Park Pilot is an assistance system, not autonomous driving. The driver must remain vigilant and ready to intervene at any time by braking or taking back control of the steering wheel. The system may encounter difficulties under certain conditions: faded parking lines, unusual curbs, the presence of moving obstacles (pedestrians, animals), or degraded weather conditions (snow, heavy rain) that can obstruct the sensors. Park Pilot is therefore an intelligent co-pilot, but the ultimate responsibility for the maneuver always rests with the driver.
Finitions équipées
6 finition(s) proposent cet équipement
Citroën Citroën ë-C4
ë-C4 X Shine Pack (1st generation derivative) (2022-2024)
Kia Stinger
GT Line Premium Diesel (Phase 1) (2018-2020)
Volkswagen Volkswagen Golf
Style (Facelifted Golf VIII) (2024-2026)
Volkswagen Volkswagen ID.3
Business (1st generation) (2021-2023)
Volkswagen Volkswagen T-Cross
Carat (1st generation, phase 1) (2019-2023)
Volvo Volvo V90
Plus (post-2021 nomenclature) (2022-2026)
Associated equipment
360° Cameras
The 360° camera system, also known as 'panoramic view', 'Surround View' or 'Bird's Eye View', is a sophisticated Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that reconstructs a complete aerial view of the vehicle's immediate surroundings. It typically consists of four strategically positioned ultra-wide-angle (fisheye) cameras: one in the front grille, one on the tailgate or trunk, and one under each exterior rearview mirror. The video feeds from these cameras are transmitted in real time to a dedicated Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The ECU processes, corrects distortions, and digitally stitches the images together to create a single, cohesive, real-time composite view displayed on the central infotainment screen. This top-down view is often complemented by dynamic guidance lines that indicate the vehicle's trajectory based on the steering wheel angle. Designed to operate at low speeds, this system is an invaluable asset during parking maneuvers, navigating tight spaces, or detecting low obstacles that are invisible from the driver's seat, thereby drastically reducing the risk of scrapes and collisions. It is an increasingly widespread feature, transitioning from the premium segment to mainstream vehicles.
Automatic Parking
Automatic parking, also known by commercial names such as Park Assist or Parktronic, is an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) that simplifies and automates parking maneuvers. Relying on a network of ultrasonic sensors and cameras, the vehicle scans its surroundings to detect a suitable parking space, whether parallel, perpendicular, or angled. Once the space is confirmed by the driver via the infotainment system screen, the system takes control of the electric power steering to guide the car into the space with millimeter precision. In most cases, the driver retains control of the accelerator, brake, and gearbox, following the displayed instructions. However, the most advanced versions, known as "Full Park Assist," can handle the entire maneuver autonomously, including exiting the parking space. This advanced technology aims not only to eliminate the stress associated with parking in dense urban environments, but also to prevent minor collisions and property damage, ensuring perfect and secure parking every time. It is a key step toward semi-autonomous driving.
Front and rear parking assist
Front and rear parking assist is an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) designed to make parking maneuvers easier by informing the driver of nearby obstacles. Using ultrasonic sensors, typically integrated into the vehicle's front and rear bumpers, the system continuously measures the distance between the car and surrounding objects (other vehicles, walls, posts, pedestrians). When the driver engages reverse gear or moves forward at very low speeds, the sensors activate. If an obstacle is detected within their range, the system alerts the driver. The alert is usually audible, featuring beeps that increase in frequency as the distance to the obstacle decreases, eventually becoming a continuous tone in the event of immediate proximity. On many models, this auditory alert is complemented by a visual display on the central infotainment screen, showing a schematic view of the vehicle and the areas where obstacles are located. Once reserved for high-end vehicles, this technology is now widely available across all market segments, significantly contributing to the reduction of minor bumps and scrapes and lowering parking-related stress in urban environments.
Parking sensors
Parking sensors, also known as backup sensors or park distance control (PDC) systems, are essential active safety devices for low-speed maneuvers. Primarily based on ultrasonic technology, discreet sensors integrated into the front and/or rear bumpers emit sound waves. When these waves encounter an obstacle, they bounce back an echo captured by the system. The vehicle's electronic control unit (ECU) then calculates the distance by measuring the wave's travel time. This crucial information is relayed to the driver through acoustic signals (beeps whose frequency intensifies as you approach the obstacle) and, increasingly, via a visual representation on the central screen. This graphic diagram indicates the position and proximity of the detected obstacle. For optimal environmental awareness, these sensors are frequently paired with a backup camera or a 360-degree vision system, providing an overview and eliminating blind spots. Essential in the city, they prevent minor bumps, protect the bodywork against scratches and impacts, and significantly reduce the stress associated with parking in tight spaces. Once a luxury, this equipment has now become a standard safety and comfort feature on the majority of new vehicles.
Parking sensors
Parking sensors, also known as park assist sensors or parking aid, are a driver assistance system designed to make parking maneuvers easier. Based on ultrasonic technology, this system uses a series of sensors discreetly integrated into the front and/or rear bumpers of the vehicle. Each sensor emits ultrasonic waves that propagate into the immediate environment. When a wave encounters an obstacle (another vehicle, a wall, a bollard, a pedestrian), it is reflected back to the sensor. An electronic control unit measures the time elapsed between the emission and reception of the wave to accurately determine the distance to the obstacle. The driver is then alerted by an audible signal, the frequency of which intensifies as the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle. On more modern vehicles, this auditory alert is often complemented by a visual representation on the infotainment screen, displaying the position and proximity of the detected obstacles. This device has become an almost indispensable safety and comfort feature, significantly reducing the risk of low-speed collisions.