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Encyclopedia > Advanced Parking Guidance System
Lexus backup camera system showing the APGS parallel park setup screen.
Lexus backup camera system showing the APGS parallel park setup screen.

Advanced Parking Guidance System (APGS) is an automatic parking system first developed by Toyota Motor Corporation in 2004 for its latest Lexus models and also the Japanese market hybrid Prius models. On vehicles equipped with the APGS, via an in-dash screen and button controls, the car can steer itself into a parking space with little input from the user. The latest version of APGS helps determine that the car has enough clearance for a particular space, and calculates the steering manueuvers needed for parallel or reverse parking. The APGS debuted outside Japan for the first time in 2006 with the new Lexus LS, which featured the automatic parking technology among other brand new inventions from Toyota. Image File history File linksMetadata G_ext9. ... Image File history File linksMetadata G_ext9. ... Automatic refers to any self-operating machine or automaton. ... Underground parking garage at the University of Minnesota. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. ... For the common automotive term of hybrid vehicle see: Petroleum electric hybrid vehicle A hybrid vehicle (HV) is a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources such as: An on-board rechargeable energy storage system (RESS) and a fueled power source for vehicle propulsion Human powered bicycle with... Prius may refer to: Hitachi Flora Prius, a personal computer. ... Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. ... Underground parking garage at the University of Minnesota. ... The Lexus LS is a full-size luxury sedan that serves as the flagship of Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota. ...

Contents

How it works

Demonstration of the APGS on a Lexus LS.
Demonstration of the APGS on a Lexus LS.

On the Lexus GS, the Advanced Parking Guidance System uses computer processors which are tied to the Lexus Intuitive Park Assist (sonar warning system) feature, backup camera, and two additional forward sensors on the front side fenders. The Intuitive Park Assist feature includes multiple sensors on the forward and rear bumpers which detect obstacles, allowing the system to sound warnings and calculate optimum steering angles during regular parking. These sensors plus the two additional APGS sensors are tied to a central computer processor, which in turn is integrated with the backup camera system to provide the driver parking information. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The F70 type frigates (here, La Motte-Picquet) are fitted with VDS (Variable Depth Sonar) type DUBV43 or DUBV43C towed sonars SONAR (SOund Navigation And Ranging) â€” or sonar â€” is a technique that uses sound propagation under water (primarily) to navigate, communicate or to detect other vessels. ... A backup camera is a special type of video camera that is produced specifically for the purpose of being attached to the rear of a vehicle to aid in backing. ...


When the Intuitive Park Assist feature is used, the processor calculates steering angle data which it displays on the navigation/camera touchscreen along with obstacle information. The Advanced Parking Guidance System expands on this capability and is accessible when the vehicle is shifted to reverse (which automatically activates the backup camera). When in reverse, the backup camera screen features APGS buttons which can be used to activate automated parking procedures. When the Advanced Parking Guidance System is activated, the central processor calculates the optimum parallel or reverse park steering angles and then interfaces with the steering systems of the vehicle to guide the car into the parking spot.


APGS procedures

Parallel Parking with the APGS

A summary of the Lexus LS Advanced Parking Guidance System procedures for parallel parking follows. Please note that this is a unofficial summary, and should be treated as such.

1. Pull up alongside the parking space. Move forward until your vehicle's rear bumper passes the rear wheel of the car parked in front of the open space.
2. Shift to reverse. This will automatically activate the backup camera system, and the car's rear view will appear on dash navigation/camera touchscreen display.
3. Select the parallel park guidance button on the navigation/camera touchscreen. A grid will appear with green or red lines, a flag symbol representing the corner of the parking spot, and adjustment arrows.
4. Check to see if the representative box on the screen correctly identifies the parking space. If the space is large enough to park, the box will be green in color. If the box is incorrectly placed, or lined in red, use the arrow buttons to move the box until it turns green.
5. If the parking space is correctly identified, press OK. Take your hands off the steering wheel, while keeping your foot on the brake pedal.
6. Slowly release the brake, while keeping your foot on the brake pedal. The car will then begin to back up and steer itself into the parking space. If at any time the steering wheel is touched or the brake firmly pressed, the system will disengage. The vehicle also cannot exceed a set speed, or the system will deactivate.
7. "The guidance is finished." When the car's computer voice issues this statement, the APGS system has finished parking your car. You can now shift to drive and pull forward to make adjustments in the space if necessary.

Reverse Parking with the APGS

The reverse park procedure, as follows, is virtually identical to the parallel parking procedure. Please note that this is a unofficial summary, and should be treated as such.

1. Pull up next to the parking space. Move forward until your vehicle's rear bumper is aligned at a 90 degree angle from the nearest outer corner of the reverse parking spot.
2. Shift to reverse. This will automatically activate the backup camera system.
3. Select the reverse park guidance button on the navigation/camera touchscreen. A grid will appear with green or red lines, a flag symbol representing the corner of the parking spot, and adjustment arrows.
4. Check the parking space and engage the reverse park procedure. Follow the same exact procedures as outlined in steps 4-7 of the parallel park procedure.

APGS in media

Media reports

The Advanced Parking Guidance System "Pyramid" advertisement.
The Advanced Parking Guidance System "Pyramid" advertisement.

The system has received mixed reviews, including a video produced by Automobile Magazine that demonstrates how the system makes parking more difficult. [1] By contrast, a video from CNBC showed the system working "quite effectively" with a first-time user [2] and other reviewers found that the APGS worked smoothly. [3][4] Image File history File links Lexus_Advanced_Parking_Guidance_System_ad. ... Image File history File links Lexus_Advanced_Parking_Guidance_System_ad. ... Automobile Magazine is an automobile magazine in the United States. ...

  • Lexus LS460 L Self Parking Video at YouTube A demonstration of the APGS by Winding Road magazine.

YouTube is a popular free video sharing website which lets users upload, view, and share video clips. ...

Advertising

Lexus capitalized on the debut of the APGS in the U.S. with its LS flagship with two ads. The first, "Pyramid," depicting a driver parking a car between two stacks of glasses using the APGS. A second ad showing a montage of different technogies, followed finally by a demonstration of the APGS, and a man stating that he never thought this technology could possibly exist.

See also

Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Parallel parking is a method of parking a vehicle in line with other parked cars. ...

External links

  • Lexus.com Advanced Parking Guidance System description and video demo


 
 

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