BMW reveals autonomous parking tech

BMW has revealed some new autonomous technology that it plans to showcase at the Consumer Electronics Show 2015 next month. It is called the Remote Valet Parking Assistant, which allows the prototype vehicle to find its way in a parking lot all by itself. It can also let the car drive itself to the owner when it detects voice commands through a smart watch app.

The prototype car, a modified i3, makes use of four laser scanners that have been lodged at specific angles to constantly monitor the surroundings. This in turn, allows another operating system to take control of primary driving functions like throttling, steering and braking.

All that the driver has to do is activate the Remote Valet Parking Assistant once he or she steps out of the car. The car then, without any kind of assistance from the driver, drives around the parking structure, locates an open space, and parks itself. It is claimed that the new system can not only detect physical obstructions, but also other possible problems like pedestrians and awkwardly parked cars.

The technology is being developed in collaboration with component and technology giant Continental. BMW has not confirmed a timeline for when this technology will make it to a production model, but is looking to use the laser scanning technology to provide automatic braking when hazards are detected. Although unconfirmed, some elements of this technology could trickle into the new 7-series, which is under development and is expected in international markets in 2016.