The system uses its memory to scan and confirm whether the space is large enough. JEDDAH: BMW has introduced a new park assistant system that makes parking a car as simple as touching a button. Available on the new BMW 5 Series, the new self-steering system, once activated, works by accurately measuring where neighboring cars are located through ultrasonic sensors, thus enabling the new BMW 5 Series “the only car in its segment that can parallel-park itself, with the driver only needing to operate the accelerator and brake.” Once a suitable parking spot is found, the driver is prompted via the control display to stop the vehicle in order to start the parking maneuver. Park assistant system then turns the wheels automatically, with the driver controlling the accelerator and brake. Using the Park Distance Control to asses the distance to other parked cars, the driver is in control at all times and can abort the maneuver by turning the wheel. The control display indicates once parking is complete. For example, while traveling at a speed of up to 35kms, in a lane next to a parking space, a sensor in the indicator will automatically scan parked cars for an available space. The system looks for a space exceeding the length of the car by approximately 1.2 meters longer than the BMW 5 Series. When the driver comes to a standstill and shifts the gear into reverse, the system uses its memory to scan and confirm whether the space is large enough. The electric power steering unit system then steers the 5-Series into the spot hands free.
