Mercedes-Benz Sets Driverless Parking Service In Motion At Stuttgart Airport

In a significant milestone for hands-free driving, Mercedes-Benz and Bosch have gained approval for a highly-automated parking system that will be implemented at a parking garage in Stuttgart Airport, Germany. 

The Germany Federal Motor Transport Authority’s (KBA) green light makes the system the world’s first highly-automated driverless parking function, which boasts SAE Level 4 abilities. 

According to its definition, an SAE Level 4 System does not require the driver to be driving when the automated features are engaged, and will not need them to take over at any time. 

This impressive system enables drivers to step out of the car, and send it to a pre-booked parking space just by selecting the function on an application, akin to a driverless valet service. 

When you’re ready to leave, the vehicle returns to the same pick-up spot without fuss, relying on Bosch’s intelligent infrastructure and Mercedes-Benz’s automotive technology. 

How does this work? The sensors within the parking garage guide and monitor the car to its exact parking spot, while the technology within the vehicle converts the information it receives into actual driving maneuvers. 

The launch marks the first commercial use of the driverless parking system, allowing drivers at the airport to tap on the APCOA FLOW digital platform to reserve, pay, enter, and exit the garage. 

Both companies explain that by allowing vehicles and infrastructure to take over driving, drivers will be able to spend their time and attention on other things, instead of the minutes wasted looking for a parking space every day. 

“Driverless parking is a key aspect of automated mobility. The highly-automated parking system we developed… shows just how far we’ve already progressed along this development path,” quips Dr Markus Heyn, Chairman of Mobility Solutions at Bosch. 

[via New Atlas and Mercedes-Benz, images via Mercedes-Benz]