Parking Simulation and Guidance in a Model Environment

This work is dedicated to a parking simulation and guidance environment based on remote controlled car models operated over digitally encoded surfaces and monitored by a computer system that provides virtual views and guidance. The tangible part of the environment consist of physical car models that can be touched, moved by hand and steered by wireless modules. A controlling computer system can remotely sense model car positions and orientations through the Cluster Pattern Interface (CLUSPIreg), embedded into the flooring of the model environment. Based on that the controlling computer maintains a virtual reality representation of the model environment and uses it for producing additional views and for providing guidance to users. The tangible parking simulation and guidance model environment has the potential to augment traditional classroom learning and to bridge the gap between driving theory and practice. Potential application areas could be driving schools, events for increasing driving safety awareness and others