Mercedes-Benz, Bosch showcase self-parking EQS

Mercedes-Benz and Bosch offered a demonstration of a self-parking vehicle at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown featuring the EQS sedan.

According to Mercedes-Benz, the EQS used in the demo is equipped with Intelligent Park Pilot — available in the Mercedes-EQ range — which pairs with a smartphone app. It works in conjunction with Bosch’s automated valet parking technology installed in the parking garage, like the one in the InterContinental hotel.

“Our vision is that getting time back is a key component of the luxury experience our customers are looking for. The EQS gives you time back by driving itself in traffic jams on highways, but with Intelligent Park Pilot, it may also be able to park itself. Intelligent Park Pilot is a feature that together with the required infrastructure enables an automated valet service that gives customers even more comfort and relief in everyday life,” said Mercedes-Benz Research and Development North America President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Philipp Skogstad.

Automated valet parking works by using existing hardware pre-installed in several Mercedes vehicles, such as the S-Class, with the required optional equipment. The vehicle, the company shared, interacts with Bosch’s intelligent infrastructure in the hotel in order to enable the vehicle to drive and park itself.

The hotel has sensors installed in the parking area which communicates with the vehicle to guide it as it maneuvers into a parking space.

The demonstration also highlights possibilities for additional services such as automated EV charging, car wash, and vehicle servicing or maintenance where vehicles move in and out of service areas guided by the intelligent infrastructure.

“The demonstration at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown showcases how automated valet parking will operate in a working hotel environment where both automated and non-automated vehicles operate alongside pedestrian traffic. This allows us to dive into the dynamics of local deployments with the use of a highly-connected EQS from Mercedes-EQ to demonstrate how automated technology continues to move forward,” said Bosch North America Senior Vice President of Automated Driving and Driver Assistance Dr. Kay Stepper.

The smartphone app comes into play as soon as a suitable parking space is found, or if the owner has reserved one for the vehicle. The hand-over of the vehicle for the driver takes place in the app, and when the driver leaves the vehicle to depart, the vehicle is then started automatically to proceed to the designated (or reserved) parking space.

When the driver returns, the driver can let the EQS drive to a designated pick-up area by smartphone command using the app.

Automated valet parking, the company shared, benefits both sides of the parking experience.

Owners no longer have to spend time searching for a parking space saving them time when they reach their destination.

Meanwhile, garage operators can increase parking capacity as vehicles no longer need to have room to open doors on all sides as all occupants have already exited the vehicle. In addition, operators can offer services such as charging, washing, or maintenance on top of the paid parking space.

Photos from Mercedes-Benz

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