This scenario became a reality in a demonstration of automated valet parking at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown featuring the EQS sedan from Mercedes-EQ.
Automated valet parking technology from Bosch and Mercedes-Benz is at the core of the demonstration. It features INTELLIGENT PARK PILOT in the EQS from Mercedes-EQ and integration with the smartphone app as part of a holistic demonstration of the future vehicle experience for consumers.
The demonstration is operated in conjunction with the InterContinental Downtown Los Angeles Hotel, an 889-room property located in the tallest building west of Chicago.
Bosch engineering teams have been working over the past few years to further develop automated valet parking and support specific testing and deployments around the world.
Automated valet parking presents benefits on both sides of the parking experience. For consumers, they will no longer have to search for a parking space and can save time once they arrive to their destination.
For parking garage operators, they 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. Furthermore, operators can offer services such as charging, washing or maintenance.
"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," said Dr Philipp Skogstad, President & CEO of Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America.
The S-Class and EQS in Germany/Europe already have the hardware to enable automated valet parking when paired with the required optional equipment.
In the case of the LA hotel, the vehicle interacts with the Bosch intelligent infrastructure installed in the parking garage in order to enable it to drive and park itself.
Sensors installed at the building communicate with the vehicle and guide its maneuvering through the garage. 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.
In conjunction with the necessary optional equipment and the corresponding Connect service, both depending on country, the EQS has the onboard technology to enter and leave multi-story parking facilities equipped with the Bosch Automated Valet infrastructure in highly automated mode and without a driver, provided that the corresponding Connect service is available and booked for the respective vehicle variant of the EQS and national legislation permits such operation.
