Bosch, Daimler to Start Driverless Parking Tests

Robert Bosch GmbH and Daimler AG have been approved to begin testing their automated parking system without a safety driver at the Mercedes-Benz museum’s garage in Stuttgart, Germany.

The companies have been evaluating the technology with a backup driver onboard at the museum for more than a year. That program was monitored by the Stuttgart regional administrative authority, the state of Baden-Wurttemberg’s transportation ministry and the German certification authority TUV Rheinland.

Using a smartphone app, motorists can reserve a specially equipped Mercedes and schedule a parking spot in the museum’s garage. At the drop-off area, users exit the car and the vehicle will automatically locate and drive to an empty parking space. The car automatically returns to pick up motorists when summoned.

Bosch sensors in the parking garage monitor the driving corridor and its surroundings to help guide the vehicle. If a pedestrian, car or other obstacle is detected, the vehicle stops until the path is clear.

The program is the first fully automated valet parking service operated in real-world conditions, according to Bosch and Daimler. The companies also are testing the system at Daimler’s research and development center in Beijing. Bosch aims to commercialize the technology in coming years.