Automated Valet Parking (AVP)

This project illustrates the interoperability of vehicle models and AVP technologies. A central control system takes over vehicles at a parking garage entrance and parks them autonomously. Embotech’s virtual driver software PRODRIVER successfully maneuvers vehicles from BMW Group, Volkswagen AG and Mercedes-Benz AG. Embotech, in cooperation with Valeo and NTT Data, showcased this live demo of Automated Valet Parking at IAA Mobility 2021 in Munich.

To demonstrate the solution by Valeo, NTT DATA and Embotech, 22 cameras are installed in the parking garage and interconnected. Valeo provides the camera sensors as well as the software used to detect the vehicles, while NTT DATA ensures the communication between the individual components, i.e. from sensors to the AVP system and from the AVP system to vehicles. For the communication from the AVP system to the vehicles, NTT DATA uses 5G mobile technology and also integrates the entire system into the parking garage’s existing IT system. Embotech supplies the virtual driver (and other tools like the visualizer) that computes the manoeuvres and drive the vehicle in real time. The AVP system manoeuvres the vehicles intelligently, safely, smoothly, and efficiently.

Interoperability plays a crucial role in the large-scale introduction of AVP. It is achieved by standardising interfaces and protocols, making valet parking available to the largest possible number of car models from different manufacturers and their users – regardless of which AVP solution the parking operators use.
This way, the option of simply dropping off the car at the parking garage can go from being an expensive premium service to a commonplace offering at airports, trade fairs, shopping centres, or cultural and sports venues. Further application scenarios include car manufacturers’ facilities, vehicle transfer stations at ports, vehicle logistics centres, and general parking lot operators both in the public and private sector.
Automated Valet Parking eliminates time-consuming searches for a free parking space as well as the need to look for the vehicle later on, for it is ready and waiting at the vehicle collection point at the appointed time. In the meantime, car park operators can use their valuable parking spaces more efficiently: Since no one enters or exits the parking areas, the vehicles can be parked much closer together. The operation of maintenance-intensive passenger lifts can be kept to a minimum for service personnel.

Embotech‘s highly capable software facilitates the efficient and safe control of the vehicles with its optimization and model-based algorithms that enable the
AVP’s control unit to make a multitude of decisions in real time – without prior training or pre-computing.
With Automated Valet Parking, parking efficiency is increased in terms of time, energy, and costs. Thus, AVP will benefit the sustainability of mobility.