Parking is stressful, and a parking maneuver that succeeds first time is a considerable feat. Most drivers would agree with this, secretly at least. Tight parking spaces, cars with blind spots, and frantic traffic conditions all contribute to this. The job will become easier with the intelligent Bosch parking assistance system, which will go into series production in 2007. Its first version measures a parking space in passing, and informs the driver whether the slot is big enough for the car. It then automatically calculates a steering and driving strategy to guide the driver quickly and easily into the parking space. It is left to the car manufacturer to decide whether the driver should be presented with spoken instructions such as "reverse", "forward", "left-hand steering lock," and "right-hand steering lock", or whether the instructions should be given visually.
In its second version, if the car is fitted with electrically supported steering, Bosch will hand automatic control of the steering wheel over to the parking assistance system – the driver only needs to press the gas pedal and the brake. It is expected that this generation will be ready to order in new cars by 2008. In spite of all these automatic functions, however, responsibility is never taken away from the driver. He remains in command of the process, and can override the electronics with his own steering movements at any time.
With the intelligent Bosch parking assistance system, slow or unsuccessful attempts to park are a thing of the past. The driver can relax, and can park without stress.
The intelligent parking assistance system are just part of a whole range of driver assistance systems produced by the world's leading supplier of automotive equipment, some of which are already available on the market, some of which will be ready for series production in the next few years. On the one hand, their functions offer convenience to the car driver. On the other hand, they improve driving safety, bearing in mind the increase in both traffic density and mileage driven, and the increased stress that these factors mean for drivers.
The Bosch Group is one of the world’s leading suppliers of automotive equipment. The Bosch Automotive Aftermarket business division (Bosch AA) deals with the global supply of replacement parts and information for Bosch products and systems, the distribution of shop and auto accessories, and worldwide customer service. Bosch AA delivers to 132 countries through regional companies, foreign representatives, or customer service centres. Its distribution centre warehouses more than 150,000 different items:
Diesel and petrol injection parts, sparkplugs, filters, starters, generators, brakes, headlights, and many other automotive supplies. Bosch Automotive has been operating in the Middle East for almost 40 years. Since then, the Automotive after sales business has maintained a significant presence in Middle East markets.
