This is a bit 'out there' I accept.

 

But daydreaming yesterday it struck me that most (all?) Superbs have a radar built into the front grill, sensing impending collisions, obstacles in front etc...

 

Not all Superbs have front parking sensors, an omission from the standard spec I find rather odd.

 

It set me thinking whether someone with the appropriate software skills could hack the system in any way to enable the radar to act as a rudimentary front parking sensor? Yes, you wouldn't get the wide range of coverage you get from 4+ sensors ranged across the front of the car, but it would be quite sufficient to alert you when a few inches from a wall in front of your parking space.

 

I realise this kind of thing would be beyond a simple VCDS modification, but surely it wouldn't be impossible in the hands of someone with the necessary software skills and knowledge of VAG systems?

 

I find the idea fascinating.... 

 

 

Edited 10 May, 20179 yr by CheshireBumpkin

The detection range of the MRR unit from Bosch (not sure if that's fitted to the Superb) is 36cm to 8 metres. Possibly not finite enough for parking sensor applications? 

19 minutes ago, CheshireBumpkin said:

a simple VCDS modification

haven't heard about adding own parts of software code, VCDS can only activate-deactivate programmed things

 

 

4 hours ago, penguin17 said:

The detection range of the MRR unit from Bosch (not sure if that's fitted to the Superb) is 36cm to 8 metres. Possibly not finite enough for parking sensor applications? 

 

Hmmm, 36cm would be too far away to be of much value I suspect.

 

4 hours ago, MartiniB said:

haven't heard about adding own parts of software code, VCDS can only activate-deactivate programmed things

 

 

Yeah - I was making the point that I didn't envisage VCDS being the answer.

5 minutes ago, CheshireBumpkin said:

 

 

Hmmm, 36cm would be too far away to be of much value I suspect.

 

 

 

 How close would you need to park? 36cm is just over a foot so close enough for anyone really.

I think the radar units used for ACC have a relatively narrow field of vision so most objects would be missed.

 

Probably easier to retrofit original front sensors, it also have a much better chance of working.

I like the thinking and getting more out of what you already have once you know its limitations but with the limitations I would hate to hand the car over to herself because I'd be confident she would eventually hit a low bollard or something because the sensor didn't tell her to stop and therefore would be my fault 

 

On that point also, how would it indicate to you how close you are?

 

BTW: I'm not being sexist, I'm being herself-ist 

You would need to be able to get at the built in firmware to change the pulse duration and repetition frequency and the get control of the 'range gate'.  This controls the 'gap' between transmit and receive which allows the echo to be seen by the system.  You need a very short pulse and a narrow range gate window to get the accuracy/target resolution given the signal is travelling at 300,000km/s in both directions.  Much easier with ultrasonics 

 

5 hours ago, langers2k said:

I think the radar units used for ACC have a relatively narrow field of vision so most objects would be missed.

 

Probably easier to retrofit original front sensors, it also have a much better chance of working.

Hi,

Our radar only detects cars dead ahead-- cars in the next lane even when moving into our lane are not detected till they are at least half way across.

6 hours ago, Rustynuts said:

 How close would you need to park? 36cm is just over a foot so close enough for anyone really.

 

Closer than that in the use-case I'm thinking of. Primarily carparks, many of which have stupidly small spaces and if you park more than a couple of inches from the wall/barrier in front of you, the back end sticks right out. I had a very nervy experience driving around a really tight and old multistory before trying to park the other day, which is what prompted my daydream... 

 

4 hours ago, MaddicIrl said:

I like the thinking and getting more out of what you already have once you know its limitations but with the limitations I would hate to hand the car over to herself because I'd be confident she would eventually hit a low bollard or something because the sensor didn't tell her to stop and therefore would be my fault 

 

On that point also, how would it indicate to you how close you are?

 

BTW: I'm not being sexist, I'm being herself-ist 

 

Haha! On the indication front I was thinking of nothing more sophisticated than a beep from the infotainment system or something similar.

 

4 hours ago, FelisBengalensis said:

You would need to be able to get at the built in firmware to change the pulse duration and repetition frequency and the get control of the 'range gate'.  This controls the 'gap' between transmit and receive which allows the echo to be seen by the system.  You need a very short pulse and a narrow range gate window to get the accuracy/target resolution given the signal is travelling at 300,000km/s in both directions.  Much easier with ultrasonics 

 

 

Yeah, that sounds about as complicated as I expected. I never really expected it to be feasible, but it's an interesting thought.

 

I'll sellotape a tennis ball to the front bumper... 

 

 

On 11/05/2017 at 06:29, david 1220 said:

Hi,

Our radar only detects cars dead ahead-- cars in the next lane even when moving into our lane are not detected till they are at least half way across.

 

 

Im not sure that is true - they must detect cars in the lane across because they prevent you from undertaking while cruise is active

On 5/12/2017 at 07:01, Enobar said:

 

 

Im not sure that is true - they must detect cars in the lane across because they prevent you from undertaking while cruise is active

Hi,

Nope -- thats how it is , the ultra sonic's take care of the other things.