Thanks to autonomous mobility and parking, companies like Hitachi are paving the way for an infrastructure of the future to ensure more efficient (and safer) commutes for citizens. While some of these technologies are still under development, one area of connected mobility has recently rolled out: autonomous parking technology. Below, you’ll read how this technology will benefit cities and their drivers, as well as how capitals like Copenhagen have developed their own autonomous mobility plans with infrastructure designed around a driverless metro system. — Philippe Leonard
Modern-day metro
After increasing traffic issues, Copenhagen found a solution for its transportation needs: a modern metro. The fully automated metro was designed to fit perfectly into the city’s existing infrastructure with a driverless system that not only uses advanced technology to ensure precise operations, it also ensures commuters reach their destination in the safest and quickest way possible. An elaborate communications system allows the control centre to communicate with the trains, which run every two minutes during peak service, and service is 24/7, giving residents the power to reach anywhere in the city at any time. With the debut of this world-class metro system, the city saw a change not only in public transportation but also in citizens’ habits, with 13 percent of car drivers and 47 percent of bus passengers making the switch in the first two years alone.
Advantages of autonomous parking
Hitachi is now rolling out another piece of technology that will make commuting easier for citizens. With the use of connected mobility, autonomous parking will allow cars to automatically park in targeted positions with 360-degree sensing and automatic braking. A few of the other key advantages include automatic exits from tight parking spaces and easy app control, meaning parallel parking is as simple as the touch of a screen.
Improved driving experiences
While Copenhagen’s metro is one example of a city-wide effort to improve and streamline a public service, Hitachi’s future technology will also help make drivers’ experiences on the road safer. With autonomous mobility technologies connected to the Internet of Things, vehicles will be able to reduce time passengers spend in traffic, mapping out the quickest route in real time. In addition, sensors will be able to detect any threats along the road, and cars will offer preventative maintenance features to alert drivers when they need to get their vehicle repaired.
