The US state of Michigan is teaming up with Ford, Bedrock and Bosch to launch the USA’s first-of-its-kind, real-world test site for emerging parking technology – called the Detroit Smart Parking Lab (DSPL).
The lab opens in September, allowing mobility and smart infrastructure organisations and real-estate firms and startups to test parking-related mobility, logistics and EV charging technologies. Led by Enterprise, the collaboration also aims to test more seamless and efficient rental car returns.
DSPL builds upon the automated valet parking demonstration led by Ford, Bedrock and Bosch in August 2020 when they showcased Bosch automated valet parking technology that allowed Ford Escape vehicles to drive and park themselves at Bedrock’s Assembly garage.
“Parallel parking or finding spots in busy, tight structures are some of the most stressful driving situations, which is why Ford invested heavily in innovations such as our parallel parking assistance technology,” said Craig Stephens, director, controls and automated systems, Ford Research and Advanced Engineering.
“The Detroit Smart Parking Lab will help us collaborate with other innovators on even better solutions to make parking easier, so it doesn’t spoil an evening out.”
To spur other innovators exploring advanced parking technologies, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation in partnership with the Office of Future Mobility and Electrification has established the Michigan Mobility Funding Program where organisations can secure funding to develop and test parking-inspired mobility solutions within and around the garage.
Enterprise will test how the automated valet parking technology can apply to the quick turnaround (QTA) process where rental vehicles are returned, serviced via cleaning and fuelling – including charging – and then staged for future rentals.
The smart parking lab’s initial project examines how automated technology – specifically automated valet parking and EV charging technologies – can help enhance operational efficiencies through the QTA process. The project will examine the technical, operational and financial feasibility of such technologies as part of the vehicle rental process.
Day-to-day operations of the parking lab will be managed by the American Center for Mobility, a not-for-profit collaborative effort comprised of government, industry and academic organisations focused on accelerating the mobility industry supporting advanced and scientific research, testing, standards and educational programme.
Read more: Autonomous valet parking tested at Stuttgart Airport
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