Intelligent Parking Assist System

[1][2] On vehicles equipped with the IPAS, via an in-dash screen and button controls, the car can steer itself into a parking space with little input from the user.

[3] In 2006, an upgraded version debuted for the first time outside Japan on the Lexus LS luxury sedan,[4] which featured the automatic parking technology among other brand new inventions from Toyota.

[5] Early versions of this system had difficulty detecting objects, including cats, baby prams and pedestrians.

The IPAS/APGS use computer processors which are tied to the vehicle's sonar warning system feature, backup camera, and two additional forward sensors on the front side fenders.

[6] When the sonar park sensors feature is used, the processor(s) calculate steering angle data which are displayed on the navigation/camera touchscreen along with obstacle information.

The Intelligent Parking Assist System expands on this capability and is accessible when the vehicle is shifted to reverse (which automatically activates the backup camera).

Then, shifting to reverse automatically activates the backup camera system, and the car's rear view appears on dash navigation/camera display.

[8] Once the parking space is correctly identified, the driver presses OK and takes his/her hands off the steering wheel, while keeping the foot on the brake pedal.

The system is set up so that at any time the steering wheel is touched or the brake firmly pressed, the automatic parking will disengage.

[10] In automotive publications, the feature garnered mixed reviews, with opinions on its utility varying from useful to impractical, depending on the parking situation and driver.

[13][14] A video produced by Automobile Magazine demonstrates how the system makes parking more difficult, due to some complexity to the touchscreen.