Shanghai based electric carmaker Human Horizons has launched a Level 4 Autonomous Valet Parking (AVP) system on the company’s HiPhi X production vehicle. 24 sensors placed throughout the car direct the AVP system, including smart front view and surround-view cameras, millimetre-wave radar, ultrasonic radar, and driver status detection DMS cameras.

The Human Horizons AVP provides Level 4 autonomous driving based on integration of vehicle and road-integrated technologies. Fixed sensory equipment such as lasers, radar and communications devices in parking areas can identify and track vehicle and obstacle positions, send this information via 5G to the vehicle and guide it to a safe parking space. Drivers will be able to exit their car anywhere in the parking area and leave the car to park itself autonomously. Upon returning, drivers will be able to summon the vehicle to their current location using a mobile app.

The AVP can autonomously park in underground lots with no GPS signal, blind spots and tight turning circles. Human Horizons claim this as an industry first.

The company also claims that their vehicle will be the first mass-produced smart electric vehicle with Level 4 fully autonomous parking.

The newly-launched autopilot system of HiPhi X uses a dual-redundancy system meaning backup components ensure the reliability of the system even in the case of single-component malfunction. This system can start, stop, turn and drive the vehicle within a 0-130km/h speed range. This allows drivers to take their foot, hands, eyes and attention away from the road.

In 2019, Human Horizons established a smart-road capable of V2X driving in Yancheng, Jiangsu province. The team also launched a 5G vehicle-road-city integration demonstration project in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang Artificial Intelligence Park.

Human Horizons Founder and CEO, Ding Lei noted, “Human Horizons leverages technology to enhance the driving experience and efficiency while prioritising user safety for our projects. With this in mind, we seek to promote autonomous driving and launch V2X technology ready for mass-market application.”