Future BMWs will self-park in your garage

Anyone whose garage is so packed full of junk that getting in and out of the car is nearly impossible will appreciate a new feature set to debut on future BMW models that allows you to stand outside while your Bimmer parks itself (as well as unparks itself, we assume, or this tech wouldn't be very useful). The German manufacturer recently released a video of this self-parking wizardry -- you can catch it by following the Read link -- which shows a happy homeowner simply pushing a button on his keyfob to fire up the motor, retract the side-view mirrors, and send the car on a controlled journey to its home just inches from another luxury ride. The system leverages distance-sensing technology that we've seen before from Mercedes, Toyota, and the like, but requires a reflective lens on the garage wall to operate, which unfortunately precludes its use in public parking lots. Still a pretty useful feature, but if it takes three years to find its way into commercial vehicles as BMW anticipates, we'll probably already have the parking covered with those self-driving models we've been promised.

[Interlard @ Jul 10th 2006 1:01PM]

This is good, but what we really need is for the car to slide in sideways into tight parking spots. Parking in your own garage is actually not that high up the "must have" list.

[Rob Garrett @ Jul 10th 2006 1:14PM]

So, what happens when that mirror gets dirty, or some family member (who shall remain nameless) puts a box in front of it? Guess my BMW would drive into the dining room?

[Mark @ Jul 10th 2006 1:19PM]

The whole point of me getting a house with a garage is so that I don't have to go outside to get to and from my car. Now when it's raining I can stand out in the rain for a little longer than if I just parked out in the rain to begin with.

[Synergy @ Jul 10th 2006 1:34PM]

bdgc,

The clutchless manual shift SMG probably could make use of this. And while 30% (your stat) buy the Bimmer in manual the other 70 frickin percent do not so this may be a value to them.

Mark,

I am sure one can even sit in the car, hit a button and let the car autopark so you don't get your knickers wet.

[Mark @ Jul 10th 2006 1:41PM]

It's actually one bimmer in the US, everywhere else it's beemer (or beamer, not sure which spelling).

And Mark (the other one, not talking to my self....this time), I'm sure that's not the ONLY reason you got a house with a garage, mine, for instance, is full of crap, and isn't actually attached to the house anyway, so this would be very useful to me

[Nukes and Candy @ Jul 10th 2006 1:42PM]

I agree with #1. Sideway parking is where its at.

Plus, three years from now, well probably have Mecedes cars doing your groceries for you.

Too long waiting time for unimpressive, "look at me" theatrics.

[b-rad @ Jul 10th 2006 1:52PM]

Yeah Yeah... It's Bimmer, not a big fricken deal, this isn't a car blog, stop being all picky!! I drive a 330xi and I know that parking in my garage is a hassle because as this video shows, the 7 and 3 were very, very close to each other... it didn't look like passengers would have been able to get out of the doors of those cars facing each other. But the real clincher is the fact that Toyota Prius' will already self-park (parallel on a street) in places like Japan/Hong Kong. So it's not that new of a technology (except that with the Prius, all you do is control the throttle while the car corrects the angle and parks for you...) Still, I could see this as a useful thing, but it'll probably be a $2000 option on top of that 50k+ 5 series or 7 series....

[Kevin @ Jul 10th 2006 1:54PM]

One more reason for me to not buy a new BMW. These cars are getting so complicated and full of technical wizadry (like iDrive) that I no longer have a use for them. I've had them since 1969, but will not buy another with all their gadgets and terrible Bangle styling. At least you can still get a 3 without all the garbage, but I am more of a 5,6,7 buyer now. On to other brands.

[Mike10010100 @ Jul 10th 2006 1:58PM]

I was just curious about sending in tips. How do you put in a picture if it's something you took and not from the internet?

[leroy @ Jul 10th 2006 2:10PM]

Honey...have you seen the cat?

[bri @ Jul 10th 2006 2:17PM]

But can it find Sarah Connor?

[Tull @ Jul 10th 2006 2:36PM]

Even if it can't I'm sure it's programmed with secondary targets.

[daveg @ Jul 10th 2006 3:04PM]

I for one, welcome our teutoninc, self-driving overloards. Now can you get one to pick up the kids, the groceries, and the dry cleaning...of course then, what will my wife do?

[eric_r @ Jul 10th 2006 3:05PM]

I wonder how many bimmerforums guys are freaking out about them erroneously calling it a Beamer. I was going to freak out but it's already been done.

[Jimbolaya @ Jul 10th 2006 3:24PM]

I wonder if you can navigate it through an obstacle course if you run around with that mirror strapped to your back.

[Perrey Z. @ Jul 10th 2006 4:47PM]

Cool! now you can be Knight Rider with your own German K.I.T.T. minus the fancy talk.

[Storm9 @ Jul 10th 2006 5:49PM]

The self parallel parking features is already there in European BMWs. I believe Benz and other automakers have them also.

The Prius in Japan has it.

The new 2007 Lexus LS in the USA will have it.

The Side parking feature..

But this garage parking...is very usefull for me..

[Wiepz @ Jul 10th 2006 5:55PM]

hi guys, I was wondering that it was really true that most (almost all) american ride with an automatic? Is it really true? Because here in Europe it's a rarety(?).

[O.I. @ Jul 10th 2006 6:01PM]

In America most people drive with an automatic transmission, yes. It allows us to have a hand free to give other motorists the finger or to eat Big Macs with.

[Sam @ Jul 10th 2006 8:00PM]

I found this video on youtube of a self parallel parking car.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNtSl3SHnCE&search=self%20parking%20car

[Don @ Jul 10th 2006 8:46PM]

"It's like dating Jessica Simpson and she's wearing a chastity belt."

She's already wearing a horse-head on her shoulders... you shouldn't need the belt.

[Kevin @ Jul 10th 2006 10:34PM]

"In America most people drive with an automatic transmission, yes. It allows us to have a hand free to give other motorists the finger or to eat Big Macs with."

zing!

[tc @ Jul 10th 2006 11:50PM]

definitely agree with the big mac thing

[wizzo @ Jul 11th 2006 12:59AM]

maybe if you're too retarded to park in your own garage, you shouldnt be driving at all, or have a liscense. maybe instead of inventing more gadgets that give us more reason to be lazy and stupid, we should stop letting stupid people drive. the real solution would be to replace the human brain and let the car do the driving. im sure it would do a much better job than the nimrods on the road today. aparently VW has already done it. now if only the rest of the world would catch on, but then when they do the US would be the last to.
-'rantings of a crazed cynic'
-"wheres our freakin flying cars!"

[i want to fly @ Jul 11th 2006 9:06AM]

Exactly. The reason I grew up (physically, not mentally. That's still to come) was for the future with the promise of flying cars. Where are they?

[iz @ Jul 17th 2006 8:24PM]

my 840ci is in the garage doing the laundry and my 325i is outside mowing the lawn. i can park just fine on my own, but i do like the help with my household chores! and it is bimmer.. beemer tattles on the newbie that should probably see if he can get his old lexus back. heh, have to go, the 840 finished ironing my dress and it will now rotate its own tires. wow!

[unimpressed with bmw @ Jul 18th 2006 12:41AM]

What is a BIMMER? Did you mean BEAMER?

[I repoed your car @ Jul 18th 2006 2:26AM]

Call me crazy, but if you can afford the BMW, why didn't you buy a house with a garage that's wide enough???? Anyone remember the audi's that parked themselves in your pool? TOO MUCH TECHNOLOGY & NOT ENOUGH HUMANITY. We are sriously running out of "luxury options" if it's come to this... I'll be impressed when BMW comes out with a car that gets more than 20 miles to the gallon.

[matt goldman @ Jul 18th 2006 2:29AM]

I think the correct spelling is 'bimmer'. The other spellings tend to be used by people that may have heard the term and are spelling it phonetically. I tend to LoL when i see it spelled any other way than 'bimmer'.

[joli @ Jul 18th 2006 6:14AM]

My 1981 BMW gets about 32 miles/gallon. It has no frills (i.e. electric windows) and no automatic transmission. It runs perfectly without a GPS system (I can read a map) and is very safe without airbags. It rides the turns in the road like a dream and flies passed newer cars with ease in fifth gear. You'll never see a 25 year old Japanese car do or be all that!

[joli @ Jul 18th 2006 6:58AM]

You have to give up your "cylinders" and "living rooms on wheels" for "Humanity", baby!! If you're not willing to do that then the technology race will continue and every car company will try to outperform the other ... supplying the consumer's unquenchable thirst for the biggest, baddest, best and newest gadgets and gizmos.

[John @ Jul 21st 2006 4:48AM]

I beleive "bimmer" is for automobiles & "beamer" is for motorcycles.

[Los Angeles Orange County Ford Chevrolet bmw San Diego @ Aug 30th 2006 8:29PM]

Only a matter of time now before BMW's will just drive themselves.