Parking Sensors

Technology that simplifies manoeuvres

Parking sensors are systems positioned on the bumpers, side panels, and other areas of the vehicle, designed to detect nearby obstacles and transmit signals to an electronic control unit. The system then triggers an acoustic warning, whose intensity increases as the risk of collision becomes higher.

Essential in vehicles with reduced visibility, blind spots, or in tight manoeuvring environments with limited space, parking sensors are now a standard active safety feature on most modern vehicles.

Also known as Parking Distance Control (PDC) or Park Assist, these systems are available in different technologies, each with specific characteristics and advantages:

• Ultrasonic sensors: use high-frequency sound waves to detect obstacles. They are the most common type, widely recognized for reliability and efficiency
• Electromagnetic sensors: generate an electromagnetic field around the vehicle’s perimeter and detect objects entering this zone, triggering an alert. They are less visible as they are installed inside the bumper
• Infrared sensors: less widespread, these use infrared radiation to measure distance to obstacles. They perform well in various weather and lighting conditions but are generally more expensive

Parking sensors: most common faults and optimal solutions

Front and rear parking assistance sensors are an increasingly popular option, designed to protect bodywork and bumpers from accidental impacts and provide greater confidence during manoeuvres. The most common causes of malfunction include:

• Dirt accumulation obstructing sensor operation
• Mechanical damage from impacts
• Moisture or water ingress
• Electrical component failures
• Control unit malfunctions