Hyundai and Kia are at the forefront of showcasing how future self-driving vehicles could remove one of the frustrating elements of driving: searching for parking. The two South Korean car manufacturers have shared a video that illustrates a scenario in which a driver exits a vehicle—resembling the Hyundai Le Fil Rouge concept—and instructs it to locate an available parking spot via a smartphone app.
In this demonstration, if the vehicle is electric and capable of wireless charging, it could also recharge itself automatically while parked, according to Hyundai.
This process relies on a robust communication system that links the car to the driver’s smartphone and the parking facility. This connection enables the vehicle to receive real-time information about available parking spots and charging stations. This type of technology is part of an emerging vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) system that various companies are developing for purposes ranging from toll payments to enhancing intersection safety.
Other automakers have also showcased fully automated parking features. Notably, Tesla’s Summon function enables vehicles to park themselves without any driver present. Such systems aim to alleviate traffic congestion and might gain quicker public acceptance compared to fully autonomous driving technologies.
Automated parking could improve efficiency due to two main factors. For one, without a driver inside the car, vehicles can be parked much closer together. Additionally, a communication system like the one proposed by Hyundai and Kia would guide cars directly to open spaces, eliminating the need to circle around parking lots. Many drivers may find it easier to allow automation for parking, a task often viewed as tedious.
Nonetheless, it remains uncertain when automated valet parking will become a standard feature in production vehicles. Hyundai and Kia have announced plans to roll out self-driving cars in “smart cities” starting in 2021, with broader availability targeted for 2030. The actual implementation of automated parking will largely depend on how well these manufacturers can integrate their technology with existing infrastructure.
.
