The Volkswagen Touareg can now be driven into and out of parking spaces fully automatically from outside the vehicle using a smartphone.
The basis of the new system is Park Assist, which Volkswagen still offers for the Touareg. Park Assist permits semi-automatic parking in parking spaces; the car also drives semi-automatically out of parallel parking spaces (spaces that are parallel to the road) again.
Here, the SUV takes over steering, while the driver presses the accelerator and brake pedals
Engine and the brake
The new Park Assist with remote control works fully automatically for the first time – it also controls the engine and brake. The new system has two operating modes: in the first, the driver remains in the vehicle and operates the system; in the second, the driver gets out of the Touareg and controls the parking using a smartphone.
In the first mode, when taking up a parking space the driver activates a search for a space by tapping on the ‘P’ field on the infotainment system screen. As soon as the Touareg detects one or more suitable parking spaces, it shows these on the infotainment screen. The driver now selects one of the parking spaces. The display ‘Depress the brake and press and hold the button or select Park Assist with remote control’ is now shown in the Touareg’s digital cockpit.
The driver then chooses the first option and continuously presses the ‘Drive’ button (P AUTO) under the gear knob on the centre console – parking then starts. The technology used by the Touareg for this comprises 12 ultrasound sensors and the four cameras of the Area View 360-degree system. The cameras are in the windscreen, exterior mirrors and boot lid.
VW Remote Park Assist app
In the second mode, driver uses their smartphone and the VW Remote Park Assist Plus app as a remote control. Here too, the driver activates the search for a parking space by tapping on the ‘P’ field on the infotainment screen. The driver again selects one of the parking spaces. When the display ‘Depress the brake and press and hold the button or select Park Assist with remote control’ appears, the driver chooses ‘Park Assist with remote control’.
The driver taps on the option, takes the vehicle key, alights the vehicle and then activates the parking manoeuvre via the app. To do this, the driver presses the ‘Drive’ button on the smartphone – this button is virtually transferred from the car to the app – and parking now starts. Here also, the ‘Drive’ button must be pressed continuously for safety reasons. The SUV now carries out the process of driving into a parking space fully automatically.
The process is similar for removing the car from a tight parking space. You don’t have to clamber into the driver’s seat awkwardly. The manoeuvre for driving out of a parking space is visually displayed in parallel on the smartphone. The Touareg is the first Volkswagen capable of assisted manoeuvring without a driver on board.