BMW And Valeo Collaborate On A Driverless Parking System

BMW and tech firm Valeo have agreed to work together to develop the next generation of automated parking functions - Level 4 Automated Parking System. According to the company, the functions will be built on the software stack released with the full-electric BMW iX SUV in 2021.

For instance, the Level 4 Automated Valet Parking system could assist drivers to manoeuvre to a free spot in a parking space through the in-car technology. In the meantime, to make the automated parking technology work, BMW and Valeo will create two types of systems.

Type 1 systems, while more complex than Type 2, have a greater chance of widespread adoption because they do not rely on potentially uneven infrastructure development. BMW intends to make both types available, which means that a Type 1 vehicle could park in a Type 2 garage.

Then, to drive itself without a human behind the wheel or even in the cabin, the vehicle will require the necessary sensors and computing power. Aside from that, the elements embedded in the system would also allow drivers to ‘communicate’ with the car. For example, the vehicle could probably charge itself or wash up with the in-car technology.

"Building on already commercialised stack components, this cooperation will leverage our know-how and technologies, such as advanced AI-based computer vision algorithms, and enable us to extend our portfolio to L4 functions as well as into cloud services,’’ stated President of Valeo’s Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems Business Group, Marc Vrecko.

As rumoured, models on the German automaker's dedicated EV platform Neue Klasse will be the first to receive this technology in 2026 which hinted to BMW I Vision Dee concept debut at CES 2023 that it would be equipped with a similar platform.

Some current BMW models, such as the 7 Series and iX, can perform parking manoeuvres on their own with Parking Assistant Professional function with the driver must be nearby.

Just to share, Mercedes-Benz became the first automaker to receive approval for Automated Valet Parking with its Intelligent Park Pilot system.

As previously stated, BMW has not yet determined a price for the AVP system, but it will not be prohibitively expensive because cars will already be equipped with all of the necessary sensors and hardware.

Furthermore, the company stated that expensive Lidar Sensors will not be required because radar and cameras are adequate for the types of low-speed manoeuvres performed in parking garages.