[911porsche]

Yep, there is actually a technology that allows cars to park themselves. All the driver has to do is pull up next to the spot, and then sit back with their feet off the pedals. The Lexus LS 460 L was the first mass produced car to offer this innovation about a year ago. I'm not sure if any other manufacturer has implemented this technology in their cars since then, but it is far from being perfected just yet anyway.

[MaximumSpeed]

I think I wouldn't be able to bring myself to USE that technology! I would be afraid it would run into something, and I doubt the other vehicle's owner would be ok with "Sorry, my car was driving itself!"

[Fanbelt]

Interesting. That sounds like a great feature. I would love not to have to park my car in a parking lot myself. Just one question. When your foot is off the acceleration pedal, the car will not self accelerate, right?

[Dodge Doll]

I'm offended by the technology. Outright.

Parallel parking is a SKILL, and those that can't do it are most often not the best and safest of drivers. As it is, I have many gal pals that can NOT drive a stick-shift, and each and every one of them can scare me absolutely goofy if I'm a passenger when one of them is driving.

Technology is no replacement for a learned skill.

As far as I'm concerned, if you're among the ones that can't drive a stick-shift, you're not as good of a driver as those that can, and are probably one of the folks that would consider buying such a vehicle. Go ahead and take your best shot at me for that one, I'd welcome the debate.

The liability issues have already been brought up: I'm betting the insurance industry is paling at the thought of these beasts on the road.

[911porsche]

I do agree with you, Dodge, and perhaps only manually licensed drivers should be allowed to own a manual car with this feature? Regardless of whether we agree with this technology being used or not, however, it's just not going to stop here. There's also technology in development as we speak that will enable cars to function on true autopilot (that is, a bit smarter than just cruise control), as well as warn drivers of oncoming dangers, accelerate/decelerate by themselves in an emergency to avoid a collision, etc. 'Talking' cars have also been planned, and we already have internet and GPS inside our vehicles...

So, yes, I agree. Car technology that substitutes real driver skill is going to be a serious problem for many, but then someone who can't properly drive a stick-shift should not be licensed to drive one at all anyway. What about the proficient automatic car driver; they could use this technology as long as they never lost their own parking skills, right?

[fiat500]

Absolutely agree with Dodge's "Parallel Parking is a SKILL" and that I'm afraid is something I don't posses so probably this car is going to be my best friend.
I do have a great admiration specially for women who can park in small spaces like my husband's aunt in Sicily. Oh, the furtive skill of manoeuvring!

[66Notchback]

This kind of technology scares me.

I wonder what will happen once it's present and accepted, and then the owner has occasion to drive something NOT equipped the same: I don't know the answer, but I might pay to watch.

[Dodge Doll]

Hahahahaha!

QUOTE:
I wonder what will happen once it's present and accepted, and then the owner has occasion to drive something NOT equipped the same: I don't know the answer, but I might pay to watch.
END QUOTE

Notchback, I'm with you: I'd pay to see that too. Heck, man, I'll even bring the beer!

[flatbed]

Yeah, I have to agree with those who are hesitant about this kind of technology. It's the loss of control that scares me. I even have trouble flying a plane because of my lack of control, now I'm supposed to trust my car? And what if it accidently dents or scratches the car next to me, do I just say, "sorry, my car did it!"?

[DNADriver]

This isn't for me either. I drive stick. I parallel park, and reverse park. I like doing these things, because I'm a bit of a show off, but also because I take pride in them.

I'd never turn my car over to a computer like this.