Combining the ultimate in traditional hospitality with the Nissan autonomous driving technology, one Japanese inn is treating guests to some unusual amenities: self-parking slippers, tables and floor cushions.
At first glance, the ProPILOT Park Ryokan looks like any other traditional Japanese inn ryokan. Slippers create a neat line at the foyer, where guests remove their shoes. Low tables and floor cushions for sitting are among the features of the tatami rooms.
What sets this ryokan apart is that the slippers, tables and cushions have a special version of Nissan’s ProPILOT Park autonomous parking technology. When not in use, they automatically return to their spots at the push of a button.
ProPilot appeared for the first time in the all-new Nissan LEAF in Japan in October 2017. It detects surrounding objects and lets drivers automatically park the vehicle by pressing a button. The same technology is being used in the amenities at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan. It helps during a demonstration to entertain guests and reduce staff workload.
Nissan will offer a free night at the ProPILOT Park Ryokan, located in Hakone, Japan, for one lucky pair of travellers. For a chance to win, contestants must post on Twitter using the hashtags #PPPRyokan and #wanttostay between January 25 and February 10.
Visitors to the Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery in Yokohama can also experience the atmosphere of the ProPILOT Ryokan and try on the actual self-parking slippers at a dedicated exhibition booth.
ProPILOT Park is a system that helps drivers park by automatically controlling acceleration, brakes, handling, shift changing and parking brakes to guide the car into a parking spot
It is a combination of technologies. One is image processing, using four high-resolution cameras and information from 12 ultrasonic sensors around the car. With its help, ProPILOT Park guides the car into a space safely and accurately.
All steering, braking and throttle inputs for various parking manoeuvres, such as parallel parking, are automated. The system can automatically identify a parking space around the car so that the driver doesn’t need to set a target parking position. This technology requires only three easy steps for activation. It liberates drivers from one of the most tedious and at times the most challenging, tasks of driving.
In just three steps, ProPILOT Park will automatically park the car. The system works by controlling the steering, accelerator, brakes, gear shift and parking brake. When the parking process is complete, the system shifts the transmission to “P” and activate the electronic parking brake.
The system is compatible with front and back-in parking, as well as parallel parking. It automatically turns the steering wheel while reversing to complete the parking manoeuvre into the parking space.
The sensors and controls have limitations. Therefore, the driver should always monitor the surrounding area and apply the brakes if necessary.
The system has a programme to stop the parking if it detects any hazard. However, it does not fully eliminate chances of collision.
#ICYMI: A glimpse inside our all-electric Nissan #LEAF with #ProPILOT Assist, keeping you aware and connected to your surroundings. #IntelligentMobility #FutureFriday pic.twitter.com/ywticyT3bB
— Nissan (@Nissan) January 19, 2018
