2010 Lincoln MKT and MKS will park themselves with Active Park Assist

Ford has announced that it will take on Lexus with a new feature called Active Park Assist for its Lincoln brand. The new feature will be available in mid-2009 on the 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan and the new 7-seater Lincoln MKT Crossover that will make its debut at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show next month.

The Active Park Assist uses an ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for parallel parking. It the calculates the optimal steering angle and quickly steers the vehicle into a parking spot.

Ford says that the EPAS technology also improves fuel-economy by 5 percent while enhancing steer performance with a traditional hydraulic powered-assisted steering systems. FoMoCo plans on introducing EPAS in nearly 90 percent of the Ford, Lincoln and Mercury lineup by 2012

Click through to learn more about how Active Park Assist works.

Ford’s Active Park Assist:

 

Here”s how Active Park Assist works:

– The driver activates the system by pressing an instrument panel button, which activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible parallel parking space.
– The system then prompts the driver to accept the system assistance to park.
– The steering system then takes over and steers the car into the parking space hands-free. The driver still shifts the transmission and operates the gas and brake pedals.
– A visual and/or audible driver interface advises the driver about the proximity of other cars, objects and people and provides instructions.
– While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the steering wheel.