The Future of Autonomous Vehicles: From Valet Parking to Intelligent Infrastructure

Introduction

When we think of remote-controlled cars, we often imagine the small toys we used to play with as children. However, behind the scenes at automotive firms like Continental, engineers are working on a different kind of remote-controlled car: full-size autonomous vehicles.

The Evolution of Autonomous Vehicle Technology

Autonomous vehicle technology goes beyond the concept of driverless cars. It encompasses a range of features, including park assist systems and automated valet parking (AVP). AVP allows a driver to leave their car at a parking lot, where it will autonomously find a parking spot and return when summoned. While AVP is often associated with fully autonomous vehicles, it can also be implemented in cars that are not fully self-driving.

One vision for AVP involves creating integrated mobility systems. In this scenario, an autonomous car would transport the driver and passengers to a car park on the outskirts of an urban area. From there, they would transfer to a pod for transportation into town.

Introducing Infrastructure Orchestrated Manoeuvring (IOM)

Continental is pioneering a more sophisticated approach to AVP called “Safe Infrastructure Solutions.” This approach involves installing intelligence in the infrastructure itself, enabling intelligent vehicle manoeuvring in various environments, including car plants. This concept is known as Infrastructure Orchestrated Manoeuvring (IOM).

In a traditional car plant, finished cars need to be manually moved to different locations, which can be inefficient. With IOM, cars can be sent to another station for snagging, testing, calibration, or delivery. The process involves handing the car over to an intelligent infrastructure using an app, and the infrastructure takes care of the manoeuvring.

IOM utilizes technologies similar to those used in autonomous cars, such as cameras, sensors, intelligent algorithms, infrastructure-based object recognition, dynamic route planning, and autonomous emergency braking functions. These technologies allow the car to be moved under wireless control.

To enable IOM, cars need to be equipped with an automatic transmission, an electric parking brake, electric power steering, and an intelligent communication unit.

The Future of Intelligent Infrastructure

The concept of IOM also applies to AVP Type 2, also known as “the intelligent garage.” In this scenario, automated garages could be operated at airports, hotels, and railway stations under full digital control, eliminating the need for human parking attendants.

While the implementation of intelligent infrastructure for AVP and IOM is still in progress, Continental predicts that it will first be used in vehicle production plants in the near future. There is already significant interest in the system, and its potential benefits for convenience and efficiency are undeniable.

Conclusion

The increasing autonomy of vehicles opens up new possibilities for convenience and efficiency. From automated valet parking to intelligent infrastructure, the future of autonomous vehicles is set to revolutionize not only how we park our cars but also how they are built and moved within various environments.