Valeo sees important future for driver-assisted car parking system

Frankfurt, Germany, September 11 -- A Valeo system that helps drivers parallel park by helping steer their cars, comfortably, conveniently and without damage is now being presented to European automakers. Valeo announced its plans to the public at the IAA auto show in Frankfurt.

Parallel parking is a frustrating challenge, especially in cities where traffic is heavy and parking spaces rare and often small. Knowing how big the space is, where to start reversing from, when to turn the steering wheel and when to stop reversing are the keys. With the Assisted Parallel Parking system from Valeo, the driver simply acts on instructions that practically enables the car to park itself.

The revolutionary Assisted Parallel Parking system will maximize driver confidence when attempting parking manoeuvres, even in small spaces. The system calculates the optimal manoeuvres needed for tight parking places, both reverse and forward, helping the car "steer itself" into place.

Valeo has applied its proven expertise in advanced parking systems to develop this new system. Its recent Parking Slot Measurement system launched last year will provide key information on the size of the parking space, while its steering angle sensor and a bumper-mounted rear camera will provide live information on the vehicle's immediate environment.

"The dream of cars that drive themselves will begin with parallel parking," said Thierry Morin, Valeo Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. "Parking is a difficult manoeuvre even though it occurs at low speeds. The Assisted Parallel Parking system provides a first real-life experience for carmakers of those intelligent cars of the future."

In the first step, the driver activates the system and passes a selected parking slot within 1.5 to 0.5 meters. Ultrasonic sensors on either side of the front bumper measure it and compare it with the length of the car.

If the parking place is big enough, the driver is guided through all the steps of parking electronically, including where best to start from. Valeo engineers and technicians will have tailored the software for each individual car model, recording not only exterior dimensions but wheelbase and turning radius. The Assisted Parallel Parking system records the position of the parked cars, the position of the driver's car in relation to the slot, and calculates the manoeuvres required to back in without touching anything.

A small display integrated in the dashboard advises the driver about the optimal steering angle and whether the car should go forward or reverse. During the reverse phase, as an option, the driver is also able to view the live images from behind the car. The standard park-assist system based on ultrasonic sensors is used as in a normal parking manoeuvre to detect how close the car is to an obstacle. The measurement ranges from two meters down to 25 centimetres.

Drawing upon its experience in steering angle sensing, Valeo has developed electronics that control steering during this parking manoeuvre to ensure the optimal trajectory is achieved. Since there is no connection to either braking or throttle, the driver is free to choose when to stop, start and at what speed to perform the manoeuvre. The driver is responsible for the driving at all times.

Valeo anticipates that 50 per cent of new cars will use the system in 2010 and expects to have the leading market share.

Valeo is the world's N°1 supplier of ultrasonic parking assist systems, in production since 1991, and the parking slot measurement system is scheduled to enter production in 2004 on an undisclosed car model. The Assisted Parallel Parking system could go into production as early as 2005 once it has been adopted by an automaker.

Development of the Assisted Parallel Parking system is a result of Valeo's initiation two years ago of its unique "Domains" approach to market-led innovation that aligns R&D activities and systems expertise to the anticipated future needs of car makers and consumers.

The Assisted Parallel Parking system was developed within the "Seeing and Being Seen" Domain, whose goal is to address the need of consumers and car makers for enhanced all round visibility, within and outside the vehicle, in all weather and traffic conditions.

Valeo is exhibiting at the 60th IAA International Motor Show on stand D02 in hall 8.

Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 130 plants, 54 R&D centres, 9 distribution centres and employs 69,000 people in 25 countries worldwide.