Germany has approved a new automated parking system at Stuttgart Airport in a world first.
The airport will host a ‘highly automated’ parking system designed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz.
The decision by Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority will make it the world’s first highly automated driverless parking function (SAE Level 4) to be cleared for commercial use.
The driverless valet parking uses a combination of the smart parking infrastructure designed and installed by Bosch and Mercedes-Benz’s in-car technology.
Sensors in the facility will monitor the driving and surrounding areas, transmitting the data needed to guide the vehicle from the drop-off to its designated parking spot.
Technology in the vehicle performs driverless manoeuvres to get the car where it needs to be.
Vehicles are able to traverse ramps between different storeys in the parking garage and will stop if they encounter an obstacle.
Once the sensors installed in the facility determine that the obstacle is clear, the car will be able to continue on its way.
Initially, only the drivers of a limited number of Mercedes vehicles will be able to use the service.
These include Mercedes S-Class and EQS models produced since July 2022, which are fitted with the INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT2 service as part of ‘Mercedes me connect’.
Drivers book their parking slot using the Mercedes app
Drivers will be able to reserve their parking slot using the Mercedes me app, and make their way to the airport as normal.
They will leave the vehicle in a pre-arranged drop-off area at the P6 car park run by German parking management company APCOA.
Once everyone has left the vehicle, the automated system will take over and guide it to its parking spot.
When the driver returns to their vehicle, they can summon it using the same app.
Dr Markus Heyn, chairman of Bosch’s Mobility Solutions business sector, said that driverless parking would mark the beginning of automated driving in everyday life.
He explained that the company had built smart infrastructure into parking facilities from the outset, allowing them to set standards in this area.
He added that Bosch was aiming to build more garages with the necessary infrastructure, with the aim of installing several hundred around the world over the next few years.
Today’s news was brought to you by TD SYNNEX – the UK’s number one solutions distributor.
Read more of our latest Industry Updates stories
