Bosch unveils parking space measurement system

While Toyota already has its self-parking Prius on the streets, and Volkswagen (not to mention BMW and Honda) isn't too far behind, Citroën is joining the fold thanks to a newly-unveiled system developed by Bosch. Citing the C4 Picasso as the "world's first car to feature integrated parking space measurement," Bosch apparently hopes to get its own snazzy parking assistant on more rides in the future. The system utilizes six total sensors on the front / rear of the vehicle to gauge parking space dimesntions (and alert you of obstacles) while cruising by at up to 12.5-miles per hour, and can inform the driver if the space he / she is eying is too small, "a tight squeeze," or just right. The system initiates the measuring process when the motorist tags a button on their steering wheel, and looks to the right or left depending on which turn signal is in use. While not quite as advanced as Toyota's gig, Bosch hopes to upgrade its system to allow the vehicle itself to control the maneuvering sometime in 2008, but those not able to hold out can pick up the current rendition real soon.

[Via Gizmag]

[Ben Jacobs @ Dec 14th 2006 12:14PM]

How does it calculate how much of my junker I can put on top of the cars on either side of me?

[wtf @ Dec 14th 2006 12:22PM]

I especially like that the feature requires you to use your turn signal properly!

[Zodiac @ Dec 14th 2006 12:27PM]

Why do we need cars to park for us? Are we becoming THAT lazy?

[John Stracke @ Dec 14th 2006 12:48PM]

"Why do we need cars to park for us?"

Um, because it's hard? Parallel parking in a small space is tricky and stressful, exactly the sort of task where automatic assistance makes sense.

[NeoteriX @ Dec 14th 2006 12:54PM]

Clearly you've never sat in a one lane street stuck behind some n00b who can't parallel park, trying multiple times while still holding up the entire street.


Man, I felt bad for all those people waiting behind me.

[David @ Dec 14th 2006 12:43PM]

This would be a great feature!!! I hate driving by tight spots and wasting time wondering if I can fit or not.

[John Doe @ Dec 14th 2006 12:45PM]

I�m still pissed that the parallel parking option for the Prius is only available on European and Japanese Pri. My �07 Prius doesn�t come with this option, even though I have every bell and whistle on it. I wonder it they axed it because of the sue happy nature of Americans?

[SOCOMRAIDER @ Dec 14th 2006 1:19PM]

Because Toyota wants to keep it a "high-end" feature for the States. After all their Lexus LS 460 has it.

[LooP @ Dec 14th 2006 1:43PM]

mercedes benz could already do this with their CL class (beginning with cars sold at the end of this year), but instead of 12.5 mph they can tell you while you're driving at 25 mph, double the speed of the citroen. check this (published 8/31/06, nearly 4 months ago): http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2006/112_news060831_2007_mercedes_benz_parking_assistant

[R@f @ Dec 14th 2006 2:17PM]

The Citro�n C4 Picasso (already in european streets) has this option...

[dspasic @ Dec 14th 2006 6:55PM]

TRUE :)

[xspale @ Dec 14th 2006 7:33PM]

CITROEN ;) WORLD RALLY ULTRA CHAMPION HAS IT