French auto supplier Valeo announced on February 14 the strategic cooperation it formed with German automaker BMW for developing the latter’s next-gen Level 4 Automated Valet Parking (AVP).
“This joint development is an important milestone for the BMW Group with regard to our next generation of automated driving and parking. With scalable L4 parking experiences, we confirm and strengthen our leading position in this domain.”
Nicolai Martin, Senior VP of Driving Experience for BMW
What is Automated Valet Parking?
The AVP is a system similar to the ‘Mercedes PARK PILOT’ or ‘Tesla Smart Summon’. It basically enables drivers to pull up to a “drop-off zone” and let their car park by itself. The car would then drive itself back to the pick-up location when the driver and passengers were prepared to go.
Notably, BMW claims to establish the system on its pre-existing self-parking software equipped in the BMW iX and new “infrastructure-based services.” It will also use a similar software stack from 2021. The difference is that this next-gen system will be enhanced with a new potent computing platform that will handle the algorithms it co-developed with Valeo.
As per the announcement, over 100 R&D experts from both firms will work together to jointly develop these automated parking solutions.
BMW and Valeo’s long-standing partnership
BMW Group has already formed numerous collaborations with Valeo, including developing an ADAS domain controller. Additionally, they will work together to build sensors and maneuvering software for BMW’s next “Neue Klasse” platform generation.
“We are proud of the long-term cooperation between the BMW Group and Valeo. The co-development and deployment of Automated Parking solutions will permit Level 4 driverless operation in BMW’s upcoming series production vehicles.”
Marc Vrecko, Valeo’s Comfort and Driving Assistance Systems Business Group President
BMW has yet to determine and announce when it will officially launch its autonomous parking technology in the market. Considering Mercedes’ rough experience in legalizing its autonomous systems in Germany, BMW will surely take a long time before offering the system to its customers.
