IAA Motor Show Unveils New Automatic Valet System

The booth of Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is seen during a press preview at the International Motor Show (IAA), in Munich, Germany, Sept. 6, 2021. (AFP)
The booth of Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is seen during a press preview at the International Motor Show (IAA), in Munich, Germany, Sept. 6, 2021. (AFP)
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IAA Motor Show Unveils New Automatic Valet System

The booth of Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is seen during a press preview at the International Motor Show (IAA), in Munich, Germany, Sept. 6, 2021. (AFP)
The booth of Chinese carmaker Great Wall Motors (GWM) is seen during a press preview at the International Motor Show (IAA), in Munich, Germany, Sept. 6, 2021. (AFP)

Struggling to find a place to park your car? Not anymore! Your car will soon be able to automatically park itself in any parking lot thanks to a new system unveiled at the Munich Motor Show. According to its developers, the system is "ready" to be deployed.

"This step does not require the driver intervention anymore," said Robert Exler, responsible for the "automatic valet" system at Bosch, according to AFP.

There is no need to wait for self-driving cars to become ubiquitous to use this system that consists of cameras and sensors that direct the car and helps it avoid obstacles.

The new technique was demonstrated during the IAA Motor Show in Munich. Other demonstrations featured cars from several brands such as Mercedes, Ford, and Audi that stopped to allow pedestrians to pass, or to avoid a can in one of the show's parking lots.

The cameras within the lot present "an external view on the exterior of the vehicle to see if any hazards are approaching," explained Exler.

Bosch started the development of the new system in 2015. It relies on a connection that links the cameras with the remotely controlled vehicle to accelerate or decelerate its speed or to move it back without the driver's intervention.



Ministry of Communications Unveils Roadmap for Building Deep Tech Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Communications Unveils Roadmap for Building Deep Tech Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia
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Ministry of Communications Unveils Roadmap for Building Deep Tech Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

Ministry of Communications Unveils Roadmap for Building Deep Tech Ecosystem in Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in partnership with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and in collaboration with "Hello Tomorrow," has launched the Deep Tech Report, highlighting the current state and future prospects of the deep tech ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and key initiatives supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The report aims to shed light on the opportunities and potential in this vital sector, recognized as a cornerstone for advancing the digital economy and sustainable development, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Monday.

It focuses on five primary pillars of Saudi Arabia’s deep tech ecosystem: deep tech ecosystem, investment, infrastructure and ecosystem enablers, talent, and policies, regulations, and government incentives. It also emphasizes the role of research, development, and innovation in positioning Saudi Arabia as a global hub for advanced technologies.

The report reveals significant growth in the deep tech sector, with 50% of startups focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). There are more than 43 high-growth startups driving innovation in the Kingdom, collectively securing over $987 million in funding in 2022, supported by 104 investors. Additionally, the number of researchers in Saudi Arabia has risen by 75% since 2015, reflecting the nation’s commitment to advancing research and development.

Vice Minister for Technology Mohammed Robayan stated that the report represents an important step in strengthening Saudi Arabia’s position as a global destination for advanced technologies. By prioritizing innovation and investing in talent and infrastructure, the Kingdom aims to build an integrated ecosystem that supports digital transformation and sustainable development.

He encouraged stakeholders in the public and private sectors, particularly academic institutions and investors, to leverage the report’s insights to create a roadmap that fosters innovation and contributes to achieving the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.