(R)EVOLUTION - Remote parking

Remote parking – Towards autonomous parking

Parking: a seemingly simple manoeuvre, but one that remains a source of stress, wasted time and sometimes collisions for many drivers. For a long time, car manufacturers have been looking for ways to simplify this everyday task. In 2022, a decisive step forward was taken when Bosch and Mercedes-Benz tested the very first Level 4 automated parking system at Stuttgart Airport.

In practical terms, this means that a vehicle is now capable of parking or leaving a parking space without a driver on board. All the driver has to do is leave the car at the entrance to a car park: thanks to a combination of on-board sensors and connected infrastructure, the vehicle drives itself through the aisles, identifies a free space and parks there safely. On request, it is also able to return automatically to be picked up.

This innovation is based on cutting-edge technology. The vehicle and the car park communicate continuously: radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors guide the movement, while intelligent systems manage interactions with other vehicles or pedestrians. The driver is completely freed from the manoeuvre, transforming a daily chore into a smooth and comfortable experience.

Beyond comfort, the safety benefits are considerable. Autonomous parking reduces the risk of low-speed collisions, which are often costly but avoidable. It also optimises space utilisation, allowing more vehicles to be parked in the same car park, as cars no longer need to leave as much room for human manoeuvres.

Above all, this demonstration marks a key milestone in the evolution of autonomous driving. Level 4 automated parking is part of the progression towards vehicles capable of operating independently in increasingly complex environments. While motorways have long been the preferred terrain for automation, car parks are now becoming the ideal laboratory for testing the reliability of these systems in dense urban areas.

By making possible what was until recently the stuff of science fiction, Bosch and Mercedes are showing that the mobility of tomorrow is not just about driving, but also about reinventing every aspect of everyday life. Automated parking is paving the way for increasingly assisted, connected and secure driving, where the motorist is gradually becoming a passenger in their own vehicle.