Car parallel parks ITSELF!

[skoker]

I know that these have been around for a few months now, but they are still hella cool. I wonder if this is DMV road-test OK?

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2006/09/ls_460_parking.html

[Bill Gates]

The European Prius does this as well.

[pdpfilms]

I saw the tv commercial for this the other day. It kind of sketches me out... I'm not sure I'd want to trust my car to stop when someone walks in front of it, to be able to see exactly where the curb is, to know exactly when not to turn... too many variables. Eeek.

Nevertheless, I still want to see it in action.

EDIT: Okay, i see you control when it stops and where. But still, this seems like a sketchnotronic system to me.

[jsw]

I didn't realize that all it did was steer (impressive, but still...). You need to apply the gas and brakes. Meh. Too much work. I'll keep the chauffeur.

[ITASOR]

Uh, this seems kind of dumb. When you pull into a parking lot and want to back into a spot. Who is going to get on the touch screen thing, bring up the back-in function, set all the parameters, etc. Everyone else waiting for you to park will get extremely pissed off!

[gekko513]

Uh, this seems kind of dumb. When you pull into a parking lot and want to back into a spot. Who is going to get on the touch screen thing, bring up the back-in function, set all the parameters, etc. Everyone else waiting for you to park will get extremely pissed off!

I guess it depends on how many attempts that driver would need to park the car on his or her own.

[iKwick7]

Am I the only one who thinks parallel parking is fun? It's like a little test to see how small of a space you can park in.

It also doesn't hurt that I drive a Prius. :)

[Fearless Leader]

so when this car runs over someone of hits a car who pays the bill? Lexus or your insurance? I saw an add on tv and wowed me.

[ITASOR]

I guess it depends on how many attempts that driver would need to park the car on his or her own.

Very true. :p

[mattniles007]

I wonder how much more people will pay for this so called luxury:rolleyes:

[bousozoku]

Am I the only one who thinks parallel parking is fun? It's like a little test to see how small of a space you can park in.

It also doesn't hurt that I drive a Prius. :)

I first learned to parallel park a 1970 Lincoln 4 door. Would you think that's fun to park?

so when this car runs over someone of hits a car who pays the bill? Lexus or your insurance? I saw an add on tv and wowed me.

It says in the small print that you're supposed to be taking care of the braking.

[EricNau]

It sounds easier to parallel park by yourself.

[skoker]

I wonder how much more people will pay for this so called luxury:rolleyes:

$700 big ones, (if you already have all the needed equipment onboard already)

It says in the small print that you're supposed to be taking care of the braking.

Note: This car doesn't actually park itself, you must control all of the braking, acceleration, turning, pedestrian-crushing, and coffee-tipping-over manually.

[Applejuice]

Thanks to GPS, people don't know basic directions. Thanks to this, some people will parallel park once (drivers test) and never do it again. Pretty soon cars will drive by itself and refuel/recharge itself. The joy of driving is dying.
We might as well all take mass transit.... which I am all for if So. Cals mass transit system didn't suck so bad.

[EricNau]

Thanks to this, some people will parallel park once (drivers test) and never do it again.
Perhaps, if they drive this car during the test, they won't even have to parallel park once.

[mattniles007]

$700 big ones, (if you already have all the needed equipment onboard already)



Note: This car doesn't actually park itself, you must control all of the braking, acceleration, turning, pedestrian-crushing, and coffee-tipping-over manually.

700 Wow what a bargain I'll take two.

[Abstract]

$700 big ones, (if you already have all the needed equipment onboard already)



Note: This car doesn't actually park itself, you must control all of the braking, acceleration, turning, pedestrian-crushing, and coffee-tipping-over manually.

Firstly, if you can afford the Lexus, $700 isn't considered "big" money. Secondly, the card turns itself. You just need to square off the car if you're not happy with the quality of the parking.

[jsw]

Thanks to GPS, people don't know basic directions. Thanks to this, some people will parallel park once (drivers test) and never do it again. Pretty soon cars will drive by itself and refuel/recharge itself.
You say this like it's a bad thing. Maybe you're a fan of typewriters (or quills, or sticks and clay) and the like, but I think automation is a good thing. Just MHO, though.

[CanadaRAM]

Thanks to GPS, people don't know basic directions. Thanks to this, some people will parallel park once (drivers test) and never do it again.

To say nothing of multiplication tables and letter writing...

[nbs2]

I've seen it in live in action and test driven the LS460. It's a boat, but the parking system is pretty cool. When you get used to it (the dealerships actually had Lexus corporate come in for specialized training), it is pretty quick. I saw the guy actually go from start to park in about 15-20 sec...

[Sun Baked]

Lazy, no talent bastards... http://att.macrumors.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=60825&stc=1&d=1162079477

[2nyRiggz]

Give Lexus a butter biscuit for introducing this....some bastards can't drive at all yet alone park.



Bless

[AoWolf]

I seem to recall at least a year back a Car and Driver article on toyota prisus parking them selfs.


Edit: A quick google show that toyota prius has been parking it self's sense release in europe and japan for a mere $2k extra.

[Scarlet Fever]

pfft... thats nothing

This (http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=7214595785750887094&q=parallel+park) is how you parallel park :p

[Apple Hobo]

How long until a device is introduced that keeps the non-passing road hogs out of the passing lane?


The joy of driving is dying.

For me, something like GPS wouldn't ruin the joy; it's the idiots such as the above mentioned lane hogs who lack all sense of any road etiquette and the awful traffic everywhere that ruins the joy.

[Counterfit]

This is just further proof that if you rather ride your car than drive, buy a Toyota. :rolleyes:

[Abstract]

Give Lexus a butter biscuit for introducing this....some bastards can't drive at all yet alone park.


Exactly, and if it makes the roads a bit more safe, then I say this is an OK invention.

And if you're so keen on complaining about lazy drivers and such, stop using calculators and spell-checkers. There's nothing worse than a lazy brain.

[notjustjay]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV35mVrwhUQ

:D :eek:

[Eric5h5]

Thanks to this, some people will parallel park once (drivers test) and never do it again.

Heck, I don't need no fancy-schmancy electro-gizmos to do the "parallel park once for driver's test and never again" thing! Just no need for it around here....

--Eric

[tech4all]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV35mVrwhUQ

:D :eek:

You gotta wonder if that second to last one was done on purpose or if it just by "accident". :D But on the second one, probably not the best thing to spin your tires like that everytime you want to park like that.

[Applejuice]

You say this like it's a bad thing. Maybe you're a fan of typewriters (or quills, or sticks and clay) and the like, but I think automation is a good thing. Just MHO, though.

apples and oranges.... ;)

it is a sad thing when people don't know how to park their car and lose any sense of direction from relying on their gps.

[Bill Gates]

apples and oranges.... ;)

it is a sad thing when people don't know how to park their car and lose any sense of direction from relying on their gps.
It's not like the good ol' days when cars had rubber bumpers, is it? You could hit other cars when parallel parking and not do any damage! :p

[mattniles007]

Exactly, and if it makes the roads a bit more safe, then I say this is an OK invention.

And if you're so keen on complaining about lazy drivers and such, stop using calculators and spell-checkers. There's nothing worse than a lazy brain.


If it makes the road more safe yes. But I think it will make more unsafe lazy drivers. More time to talk on the cell, or eat or whatever people do.

[bousozoku]

apples and oranges.... ;)

it is a sad thing when people don't know how to park their car and lose any sense of direction from relying on their gps.

Hey, prior to the GPS, there were a lot of people who didn't have any sense of direction. Some people don't even know right from left. However, if you don't know how to drive or even operate your car, you should let it park itself and walk away until a designated driver can be located.

[ColdFlame87]

It's not like the good ol' days when cars had rubber bumpers, is it? You could hit other cars when parallel parking and not do any damage! :p

Anyone know why they replaced those rubber bumpers?

[tveric]

apples and oranges.... ;)

it is a sad thing when people don't know how to park their car and lose any sense of direction from relying on their gps.

Here's your chair, your porch, and your lawn.

Now follow these steps:

#1 Put chair on porch.
#2 Sit in chair.
#3 Yell, "Hey you kids! Get offa my lawn!!"

[Abstract]

Anyone know why they replaced those rubber bumpers?

No idea, but the bumper on my parents' 1992 Volvo 940 (great car, btw) was rubber. I think there was a time they went from rubber in the old days, to metallic, and then because of some weird legislation that passed in Ontario (or maybe all of Canada......not sure), all cars needed a rubber bumper for awhile.

I think they should get the rubber bumpers again. If you bumped into something lightly, or someone bumped into you lightly, it wouldn't completely ruin the bumper. Nowadays, with the metal bumpers, they're so incredibly fragile, and yet so expensive to replace (what....like US $1500+ depending on brand?)

[skunk]

Anyone know why they replaced those rubber bumpers?Improves the cashflow.

[AoWolf]

Thanks to GPS, people don't know basic directions. Thanks to this, some people will parallel park once (drivers test) and never do it again. Pretty soon cars will drive by itself and refuel/recharge itself. The joy of driving is dying.
We might as well all take mass transit.... which I am all for if So. Cals mass transit system didn't suck so bad.

I just got my drivers license in the wonderful state of florida. Oddly enough I was never made to parallel park or park at all for that matter. Appearently the modern driving test consists of one lane change, two stop signs and a pat on the back.

[bousozoku]

I just got my drivers license in the wonderful state of florida. Oddly enough I was never made to parallel park or park at all for that matter. Appearently the modern driving test consists of one lane change, two stop signs and a pat on the back.

That's Floriduh. I didn't even have to take a skills or written test when I moved here. It's just a good thing you didn't have to take a test up north. Pennsylvania has test courses and is quite quick to fail a person.

Oh, by the way, please let the t.v. news know when you'll be out on the road. :p

[Counterfit]

Nowadays, with the metal bumpers, they're so incredibly fragile, and yet so expensive to replace (what....like US $1500+ depending on brand?)
Bumpers are usually plastic with a metal beam a few inches underneath. The bumper is supposed to protect from more expensive damage to the trunk/tailgate in low speed (under 15mph) collisions (say, with a pole in a parking lot.) The beam comes into play with higher forces.

[dmw007]

That car is awesome! :eek: :D :)

[Chaszmyr]

pfft... thats nothing

This (http://video.google.com.au/videoplay?docid=7214595785750887094&q=parallel+park) is how you parallel park :p

Wow, I wish I could do that.

[dmw007]

Wow, I wish I could do that.


Me too, that was an amazing park job! :eek:

[ColdFlame87]

No idea, but the bumper on my parents' 1992 Volvo 940 (great car, btw) was rubber. I think there was a time they went from rubber in the old days, to metallic, and then because of some weird legislation that passed in Ontario (or maybe all of Canada......not sure), all cars needed a rubber bumper for awhile.

I think they should get the rubber bumpers again. If you bumped into something lightly, or someone bumped into you lightly, it wouldn't completely ruin the bumper. Nowadays, with the metal bumpers, they're so incredibly fragile, and yet so expensive to replace (what....like US $1500+ depending on brand?)

Ive always wondered why they would replace something that was working well, and was easy to replace. Nowadays bumpers totally fall apart even in small crashes. I had a small accident in my car and the whole bumper was thrashed. It cost me around 500 bucks to replace the bumper. You wouldnt get that with those sturdy rubber bumpers;)

[ColdFlame87]

Improves the cashflow.

Haha that could be the reason but back to topic a rubber bumper would make parallel parking a lot easier. I mean you wouldnt have to worry about damaging much if you were to bump slightly against another parked car, but i guess technology would have to do that for us now...

[bigandy]

I just got my drivers license in the wonderful state of florida. Oddly enough I was never made to parallel park or park at all for that matter. Appearently the modern driving test consists of one lane change, two stop signs and a pat on the back.

Words cannot describe how shocked I am.

That's inexcusable that any authority can still get away with that and not come under fire for putting their entire population at risk.

I mean some bad drivers manage to get through the net here in the UK (despite a theory test with 35 questions where you can only get 5 wrong before you fail, and a not-really-that-easy-driving-test), but that's just taking the piss.

How anyone could defend that too, is completely beyond me. Putting someone behind the wheel of a car without being very careful to make sure they know exactly what they're doing with produces things like this (http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/15867309.htm).

I know that's an old guy, but the number of news stories I read, and the amount of friends in the US I hear from, telling me about all these accidents, doesn't inspire confidence about ever driving over there again. Or, for that matter, going anywhere a car can possibly reach me.

[quagmire]

Sorry for the bump. Look at what these guys found out. Quite hilarious.

http://www.evilchili.com/mediaview/6966/Lexus_LS460_Autoparking__Mayhem

[Counterfit]

HAHA! Awesome!

[wmmk]

It sounds easier to parallel park by yourself.

i agree (although I don't have a driver's liscense myself...)

BTW, quagmire, that video is hilarious!!!