Parallel parking can be a pain. If you\u2019re like most people, it could be the single most frustrating driving maneuver, especially if you have to start over a few times and you think everyone is watching you. It’s enough to wish for valet parking everywhere you go, even if you do have to tip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There is good news, though. Tesla\u2019s Autopilot technology can take care of your parallel parking needs. But Autopilot goes beyond just parking \u2014 it can take over highway cruising duties, helping eliminate the stress often associated with long commutes, traffic jams, and aggressive driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While technology continues to move forward<\/a>, there are still a lot of questions from consumers worried about handing over decision-making power to a computer. There\u2019s also still a lot of clarification needed on what semi-autonomous driving really means, but one thing is for sure \u2014 the technology needed for early self-driving cars is almost here. And you can try it out for yourself by test driving a Tesla<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Autonomous driving used to be all science fiction and futuristic like the \u201cJetsons.\u201d And while it might still be some years before cars are completely driving themselves, the competition for semi-autonomous systems continues to heat up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leading the pack is the Tesla Enhanced Autopilot system, which features eight external cameras, a radar, 12 ultrasonic sensors, and a powerful onboard computer to guide you on your journey (if you\u2019re driving a pre-2014 Tesla, you may want to look up what features your car has built in). The Autopilot system’s Self-Driving Suite includes Traffic-Aware Cruise Control to help you match speeds with other cars on the road; Autosteer to keep you within your lane, while allowing you to move to another lane with the help of the Auto Lane Changes; and Summon and Autopark, to help you into and out of tight spots with a touch of a button.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cars equipped with Tesla Autopilot can also receive software updates as the technology continues to evolve. But Tesla isn’t alone in this market. More car companies are rolling out vehicles with semi-autonomous systems of their own, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a combination of cameras, radar, lidar, and powerful computers, drivers of the Audi A8 can let the car drive itself at speeds up to 37 mph. Traffic Jam Pilot will allow drivers to take their hands off the wheel and essentially become passengers. However, Traffic Jam Pilot is currently not available in A8s produced for the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The BMW X6 promises a system that includes Lane Departure Assistance, Park Assistance, and Surround View to help you maneuver out of the stickiest situations and provide drivers with the support they need. The Traffic Jam Assistant is also equipped with interior cameras to monitor driver attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Experiencing autonomous driving isn’t limited to high-end cars. Nissan recently added ProPILOT Assist to updated models of the Nissan Rogue and the Nissan Leaf.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The first-generation technology allows drivers to maintain space from the car in front at a preset distance and keep the vehicle centered in single-lane driving. The ProPILOT systems can bring a car to a full stop, hold it in place, and bring the car back up to speed once traffic starts to move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Mercedes-Benz Drive Pilot will be part of the 2020 refresh of the S-Class, allowing the car to drive itself in certain situations without any driver input. If the driver needs to take over, the vehicle will alert them with a notification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One of the newest additions to the competition is the Cadillac Super Cruise system. GM is also the latest company to claim to be the most advanced, with a system designed for hands-free driving on limited highways. Cadillac Super Cruise will be found initially in the 2019 Cadillac CT6 Platinum.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are several other car brands in the competition, along with tech giants like Waymo (a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.) and Amazon, that are actively pursuing the development of autonomous driving technology.<\/p>\n\nWho\u2019s who in the semi-autonomous car race<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
AUDI TRAFFIC JAM PILOT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
BMW TRAFFIC JAM ASSISTANT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
NISSAN\/INFINITI ProPILOT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
MERCEDES-BENZ DRIVE PILOT<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
CADILLAC SUPER CRUISE<\/h4>\n\n\n\n