The Toyota Prius, the Hollywood darling hybrid car, has become the first car to offer robotic self-driving — but only in a limited sense. For an extra $2200, the Japanese version of the Prius can be outfitted with steering motors, sensors and computers that allow the Prius to parallel-park itself. It works by taking a picture of the parking space, then getting some user input about how to place the car within the space. The car then takes over and puts the car in the space efficiently and quickly, though it still relies on the driver to make sure nothing gets run over in the process. This is a really boon to people who have problems parallel parking, as well as to all other drivers who have ever sat behind a person who is trying to fit in too small a space. It also works with too-narrow garage spaces, and can actually remember where in your garage you like to place your vehicle. While the high-tech hybrid is a natural choice to first offer this option, a better choice might have been to offer it in one of those monster SUVs that never seem to be able to park anywhere.
Hardware Beyond the Hype