One of the headline features of the upcoming Renault Mégane E-Tech Electric is its ability to essentially park itself with the driver controlling the entire manoeuvre using just the accelerator. Reaching that solution, however, wasn't as intuitive as might be first thought.
Developing a new system
Automated, hands-free parking has been around for many years - it was first seen on a Lexus back in 2006 - but, apart from the steering, the driver has always had to control the accelerator, brakes and gear changes.
In 2019, Renault decided that it could do one better with a parking assistance system that took full control from finding the parking spot to switching off the engine. The technology, the company figured, either already existed or wasn't far off maturity, and so it decided to pursue it for one of its upcoming cars.
One major constraint for engineers was that car still needed to be under control of the driver at all times rather than ceding full control to the car which may have been an easier solution.
As such, the idea they developed was that of a button on the centre console which the driver would hold while the car performed the parking manoeuvre. Ergonomically, it was a good choice as the driver wouldn't have to extend their arm for the duration of the procedure as they would were the button mounted on the dashboard. The driver could let go of the button if they wanted to stop the manoeuvre mid-flight for some reason, for example, if a pedestrian or a dog were walking behind the car.
Plans change
Then, just months before the vehicle - an updated version of the Renault Espace people-carrier - was due to be released, the engineers ran into a problem. It had been decided that the space on the centre console where the parking assistant button had been due to go was no longer available, having been occupied by the electronic parking brake button. They had to go back to the drawing board.
Another button was discussed, but that just wouldn't do as the overall aim for the Espace's interior was that it be less cluttered than before. They then hit on the idea of using the accelerator pedal as the parking assistant controller.
A new solution emerges
"We very quickly agreed," said one of the project engineers, "that using the accelerator as point of contact seemed the most appropriate solution. It enabled us to keep the driver engaged and could be used in just the same way as the button. All the driver needed to do was keep their foot on the pedal to activate the manoeuvre and let go to stop."
The solution was fast-tracked and developed in just two months.
"We conducted user trials that brought back very positive results highlighting just how easy the system was to use," said another project engineer.
Renault says that using the accelerator rather than the button is safer and easier to use for a driver as it's more ergonomically pleasing than a button and drivers still get the same ability to halt the procedure mid-manoeuvre. The speed, too, can be controlled up to 7km/h, and where previously the driver had to wait until the vehicle came to a standstill after interrupting the parking procedure, this is no longer the case.
Mégane E-Tech Electric
Such were the results delivered by the system that Renault decided to include it among the suite of driver assistance features in its new Mégane E-Tech Electric.
Other aspects include Level 2 driver autonomy in the form of Active Driver Assist which, when combined with adaptive cruise control, Lane Keeping Assist and Stop & Go technology, takes some of the workload off drivers, especially on motorways and particularly on congested ones. Rear Automatic Emergency Braking also helps stop the car if it encounters an object or person in its path during reversing.
The Mégane E-Tech Electric with its "One pedal to park" system is set to hit Irish roads next March with pre-orders opening in February. Prices are expected to start from around €35,000.