The driver monitors the parking maneuver while sitting in the vehicle as he/she is still fully responsible for it. To allow the driver to
monitor the vehicle’s surroundings better, the image from the overhead view cameras is shown on the MMI display throughout the
maneuver. All vehicles with the park assist plus are also equipped with the optional overhead view cameras.
The procedure for searching for suitable parking spaces is the same as for the third generation park assist that was introduced in
2015 on the Audi Q7 (type 4M). It is carried out by measuring parking spaces with the front side ultrasonic sensors as the vehicle
passes them. The geometrical requirements that a parking space must fulfil are also the same as for the third generation park as-
sist.
The system detects suitable parking spaces parallel or perpendicular to the road even if the driver has not yet activated the park
assist plus display. Suitable parking spaces are always detected as long as the vehicle’s speed remains below 45 km/h. The system
always searches on both sides of the vehicle.
If the driver would like to use one of the parking spaces offered, he/she begins driving into it until prompted by the system to brake
the vehicle to a standstill. If several parking spaces are offered, the driver can choose whether to use the parking space prioritised
by the system or select a different identified parking space on the MMI. To start the parking maneuver with the park assist plus,
the driver must take both hands off the steering wheel, press the brake pedal and then press the park assist plus button. The sys-
tem starts the parking maneuver as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal. The driver must keep holding the button down
during the entire parking maneuver. By continuing to hold the button down, the driver signals to the system that he/she is moni-
toring the maneuver and that the system should continue with it.
If the driver identifies a hazard during the parking maneuver, he/she can let go of the button to interrupt the maneuver at any
time. If the interruption does not last too long, he/she can then continue with the parking maneuver by pressing the button again.
If the interruption lasts for a longer period, the park assist plus ends the maneuver by applying the electromechanical park-ing
brake, selecting transmission position P and then deactivating the drive system.
Similarities and differences compared to the third generation park assist
The park assist plus works in a similar way to the familiar third generation park assist. However, the driver receives considerably
more assistance from the park assist plus compared to the third generation park assist. The system now takes complete control of
the longitudinal movement of the vehicle and activates the overhead view camera display on the MMI. Nevertheless, the driver
must still monitor the automatic parking maneuvers. This is important because he/she retains full responsibility for the entire
parking maneuver.
To enable a better understanding of the new parking system, the main similarities and differences between the park assist plus and
the third generation park assist are described below. The comparison refers to the technical status of the two systems on vehicles
based on the second generation of the MLBevo platform (model year 2021).
Similarities between the park assist plus and the third generation park assist
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Park assist display activated on MMI by pressing button for steering assist
Parking space search runs continuously on both sides of the vehicle whenever the vehicle is moving in the corresponding speed
range
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Desired parking scenario selected on MMI
The system takes over the steering for the different parking scenarios.
The driver takes full responsibility for the parking maneuver. For this reason, the driver must monitor the vehicle’s surround-
ings carefully and act accordingly in the event of any hazards.
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Both systems support the following parking scenarios:
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Reversing into a parking space parallel to the road
Reversing into a parking space perpendicular to the road
Driving forwards into a parking space perpendicular to the road after driving past it
Driving forwards directly into a parking space perpendicular to the road
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Both systems support driving forwards out of a parking space parallel to the road
Criteria for a suitable parking space parallel to the road:
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When parking: length of parking space parallel to the road ≥ vehicle length + 90 cm
When driving out of a parking space (unparking): length of parking space parallel to the road ≥ vehicle length + 50 cm
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Criteria for a suitable parking space perpendicular to the road:
When parking: width of parking space perpendicular to the road ≥ vehicle width + 95 cm
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Differences compared to the third generation park assist
Park assist plus
Third generation park assist
Level 2 driver assist system
Level 1 driver assist system
System takes complete control of longitudinal movement of the vehicle. The driver is responsible for longitudinal movement of
The driver only needs to hold a button down during the parking the vehicle.
maneuver
After the parking maneuver has been completed successfully, the sys-
After the parking maneuver has been completed suc-
tem engages the parking lock and the electromechanical parking brake. cessfully, the driver must select transmission position P
and engage the parking brake himself/herself.
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