New Volkswagen Touran sports automatic parking

Joining the lengthening list of automakers giving folks a break when it comes to parking in those tight spots, Volkswagen has announced that its upcoming Touran van will be the company's first vehicle to include ParkAssist. Utilizing those spiffy ultrasonic sensors on the front and rear of the automobile, a control unit determines the available space and best suited trajectory to maneuver the vehicle into a parking spot. "Acoustic and visual displays" help guide the (probably overwhelmed) driver into the correct starting position, and once he / she throws it in reverse, ParkAssist takes over. As the system's name implies, it's not fully autonomous, and the system still requires you to apply acceleration / brakes while it handles the steering end of it. While this may not be as adventurous as riding shotgun in a vehicle on autopilot, the promise of parking within 15 seconds of ParkAssist kicking in is rather impressive, and you can expect this fancy (and likely costly) option to be available beginning June 2007.

[Via Gizmag]

[Volks Wagen Vans @ Aug 14th 2009 8:07AM]

Hello. They’re cool cars, though I prefer them with somewhat brighter, non-original paint jobs. Your whole camper van quest is even infiltrating. Thanks and have a nice day! :)

volkswagenvans.info

[Dimitri @ Sep 13th 2006 3:24PM]

Being able to steer and park are essential driving skills. If you can't do either, perhaps you shouldn't be driving.

I hope the DMVs will require new drivers to manually park (or at least steer!) their vehicles during the driver's test.

[BklynKid @ Sep 13th 2006 3:33PM]

Silly suburbians can't park (or drive) for shit.

[Gautam Desai @ Sep 13th 2006 3:50PM]

They showed this on the 2007 Toyota Prius also at the 2006 autoshow in Cologne I believe it was. There is a video of it in a video report from CNET. Unfortunately, ParkAssist won't be offered in the US on the Prius.

[pnarse @ Sep 13th 2006 4:02PM]

If you can't park your car then you shouldn't be driving it!
What the hell is the point of this technology?

[doubtful @ Sep 13th 2006 4:10PM]

It's either this or stop idiots from driving. Seems like the world made it's choice. I think I'll stay home more.

[duder @ Sep 13th 2006 4:12PM]

Touran? more like Mouron.

[tmaiden @ Sep 13th 2006 4:17PM]

LOL! Can't wait to see what the DMV is gonna say.

[Joe Alien @ Sep 13th 2006 4:23PM]

This is sort of like understanding English in order to vote. If you can't read the ballot, then don't vote. If you can't park, stay out of my way.

[x @ Sep 13th 2006 4:44PM]

Since car designers don't care about having blindspots anymore, something like this should help, especially with large vehicles. If you're a master parallel parker and can park a Ford Expedition or Chevy Suburban quickly in one try, then good for you, but you're probably in the minority.

Anything that will help people get out of my way and not hold up traffic is good.

[Enzo @ Sep 13th 2006 4:40PM]

this is fine, i still have trouble parralel parking into tight spots, and many GOOD drivers do too, so everyone saying "If you can't park get off the road ROFLROFLROFL"
just can it

[BP @ Sep 13th 2006 4:45PM]

I believe Toyota/Honda already got this in their vehicle last year or so. Why this article said "first"?

[captain obvious @ Sep 13th 2006 4:47PM]

no, this is sort of like having a video display on your dash of what's going on behind you and your blind spots. in fact, this is exactly that. idiots.

what part of your "driving skills" gives you the ability to see out of the back of your head? what "driving skills" give you the ability to see what's behind the blind spots of a minivan?

it's amazing how many pathetic people rate their lives based on how well they maneuver a car into a parallel parking spot.

and it's even more amazing that these same idiots would rather have these "unskilled" drivers hit THEIR car while trying to park.

if you don't have a brain, then don't post.

[kevin @ Sep 13th 2006 5:13PM]

i saw an article on CNET last week with a lexus that didnt need the driver to do anything when parking, just make sure it didnt mess up

[- @ Sep 13th 2006 6:18PM]

Part of the problem/hassle of parallel parking in the city is watching out for the damned cars zipping down the street while you're trying to park. A camera and sensors won't help much in that case.

Let's see this thing work in downtown Philly then I'll be impressed.

[Dimitri @ Sep 13th 2006 6:58PM]

Why are all you bad drivers getting so angry? It's not our fault you can't drive.

Good judgement, awareness of your surroundings, hand-eye coordination, and practice. That's it! Try it sometime.

Captain Obvious wrote:
>this is sort of like having a video display
>on your dash of what's going on behind you
>and your blind spots. in fact, this is exactly
>that. idiots.

Captain Obvious, it's NOTHING like a video display on your dash. It's "Obvious" that you can't drive, park, OR read!

ParkAssist does ALL THE STEERING for you, moron. You only press the accelerator and brake.

But being the idiot that you so clearly are, Captain Obviously-can't-drive, you'd probably give it too much gas and hit the car behind you anyway.

[Tek @ Sep 13th 2006 7:18PM]

I'm a self-professed slow parker. My sister hates it when I pull into parking spaces, taking all of 8 seconds! I hate parallel parking, but realize it is a necessary evil. Which is why I applaud the geniuses who realize uncoordinated people like me are on the roads trying to park and need a little bit of assistance (besides the honking and cussing people who can't wait 4 seconds at an already red light)!

[horserider @ Oct 24th 2006 12:47AM]

Why don't you morans (in memory of that moron in CA) get on a horse saddle and peddle friggin bike. Why don't you complaint about engine and not ride a horse? This is new technology and I can't wait till my lil' car drives me home and safely parks me on my driveway on the way from the FatMoes... Can't understand these stupid comments...

[David James @ Dec 2nd 2007 8:06PM]

I know what you mean. As if there isn't enough bad drivers out there. But I'm sure in the near future, there will be vehicles that would drive themselves. But in the meantime, we have Vehicle Parking Sensors to help reduce reversing accidents by 75%. If it helps myself and others avoid accidents, then I'm for it 100%.

http://www.sensorparking.com

[capagotks @ Jan 22nd 2008 5:36AM]

this sounds like fun! just find a spot, put it into reverse, AND GUN IT! see how fast someone can park, but it probably wont help my road rage...