When you back up your vehicle into a parking space or to pull out of a parking space, you typically need to look over your shoulder to see who may be in the way. Although you could look in your rearview mirror to see who’s directly behind you, this still won’t allow you to see if cars or people are approaching from the sides. They may very well cross into your path as you continue to drive in reverse. That is why looking over the shoulder has been a common practice amongst drivers for decades.
Fortunately, there is new technology to help drivers out with parking and detecting objects. This is an ultrasonic park assist system which can basically detect objects or people that may cross your path as you’re moving in reverse. And if an object is detected, you will be given a warning by the system to slow down. In some vehicles, you may have protection systems installed too which automatically apply the brakes if an object is detected.
Most ultrasonic park assist systems have sensors in the rear of the vehicle only. However, there are newer systems out which have sensors in both the front and back of the vehicle. This means it can detect objects in both the front and rear, depending on which direction you’re trying to park.
The 5 Main Features
Ultrasonic park assistance may sound like something that’s science fiction. Most people have never heard of it before because it is still not found in every vehicle. But there is an increasing number of car manufacturers which are putting this technology into their vehicles. It is only a matter of time before every vehicle on the road has this technology in it. That way, simple parking accidents can be avoided.
Below are the 5 main features of park assist and objection detection.
1) Detects Rear Objects
Every park assist and objection detection system can detect rear objects. The range of detection behind your vehicle is usually 8 feet or less. This means if an object is within 8 feet of the back of your vehicle, then you will receive a warning by the system. From there, you just need to apply the brakes to stop the vehicle from hitting the object.
2) Detects Front Objects
Not all ultrasonic park assistance systems will detect front objects, but more of the new ones are starting to do this now. It works the same way as the rear detection, except that it detects objects in the front of your vehicle. The range of detection in the front is only about 4 feet, though.
3) Sensors
If you have front and rear detection, then you’ll have 4 sensors installed in the front bumper and another 4 installed in the rear bumper. As long as these sensors are functional, your detection system will be in good shape.
Read also:
- Car Pedestrian Sensors and Protection Systems Working Principle
- The Functions of Electronic Stability Control in a Car
- 5 Benefits of Using Cruise Control in Your Car
4) Button
It is easy to activate or deactivate the detection system. All you need to do is push the on/off button. It is located on the instrument cluster near the radio. Most people like to turn this on only when they’re ready to park. Otherwise, the detection system may keep detecting objects as the vehicle is moving along in traffic.
5) Instrument Cluster
The instrument cluster is where all the controls of the park assist system are located. It organizes the buttons, controls, and other visual aids in a neat and orderly way. You’ll even see how close objects are to your vehicle because there is a visual reading of the distance given to you.
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