With the
average car becoming wider, longer and taller and parking spaces getting
constricted, having parking sensors in your vehicle could never be more
important. Painted bumps and extra accessories look smart but a small scuff or
dent will dig a hole in your pocket. Here comes the parking sensor into the
picture! This device is invented to help people in parking at those "just
enough" spaces.
How do they
work?
The parking
sensors are generally fitted at the rear and on the sides of your car. They
function by verifying the distance between the obstacle and sensor by bouncing
off electromagnetic or ultrasonic waves. Then, it displays the distance on the
screen installed in your car.
Types of
parking sensors
There are
three kinds of parking sensors available:
•
Electromagnetic Parking Sensors
• Ultrasonic
Parking Sensors
• Rear
Facing Cameras
-
Electromagnetic Parking Sensors
It is a
fantastic technology as it helps the driver to manoeuvre and park the vehicle
without any fuss. These parking sensors create the electromagnetic field around
the vehicle in which they are installed, detecting obstacles around it once the
car starts moving. As soon as an obstacle is detected, they trigger a
warning/alarming sound. The technology has become far better as today you won't
even find a small hole in bumpers. Sensors are invisible as they are installed
in the baggage area, yet effective!
If we talk
about these sensors deeply, we get to know that they are highly used for tow
bars, cycle racks, etc. Also, the electromagnetic sensors have wider detection
range coverage than any other sensors.
- Ultrasonic
Parking Sensors
Ultrasonic
parking sensors are being used in various applications like burglar alarms,
fish finders, and of course, parking sensors. Do you know what does ultrasound
means? It is an acoustic wave with such a high frequency (20 kHz) that a human
being is not able to hear. Let's look at its role in the parking sensors.
Ultrasonic parking sensors are microphone or speakers that emit or receive
ultrasound waves also known as sound waves. A beeping signal is when an
obstacle is found around the car and it beeps even faster when the car
approaches another object.
To achieve
parallel parking, this system controls braking, acceleration and steering
automatically. If you want the rear protection too, then mount two or four
ultrasonic sensors on the rear bumper to notify obstacles up to 2 to 2.5m away.
- Rear
facing cameras
No matter
whether you are a beginner or a professional driver, rear facing cameras will
surely help you in parking your vehicle in more effective way. Rear facing
parking cameras give you the clear view of the road behind your car, covering
every blind spot in the parking area. They automatically switch on when you
swap the gear to reverse. These sensors get activated themselves and alert the
driver about the distance of object behind the car. With these rear facing
cameras, parking becomes easier and safer.
Kinds of
Alerts
People want
their vehicle safe from any damages or scratches while parking yet they are
distracted by something or the other, due to which they end up paying for their
carelessness. When you are using the device, be active about the alerts and
listen to each and every audible warning carefully. You will be able to notice
that the intervals between beeps become shorter as the car comes closer to the
obstacle.
Deciphering
various combinations of beeps
• Low-toned
beeps indicate that obstacle is close to the rear bumper.
•
High-toned, continuous beeps indicate that obstacle is close to the front
bumper.
Tips for an
effective usage
• Always
make sure that the sensors are clean and clear of any obstructions like dirt or
snow. Any suspended particle on the sensors may lead to their dysfunctioning
and they may not detect obstacles effectively.
• Be active
while parking and do listen to each and every alert carefully.
• Rely on
yourself more than relying on parking sensors as they may not detect unwanted
flat objects while parking.
Efficacy of
installing parking sensor in your vehicle
If you are
wondering that whether installing parking sensors is advantageous or not, then
the correct answer is a big YES! This device will help you in parking safely
even in a constricted parking space. It helps you in detecting every object
that is out of your vision. It gets activated as soon as you start parking your
car by putting it in the reverse gear. You won't need extra holes in your
bumpers to install these parking sensors as with the new technology, they are
invisible.