Method for preventing or reducing collision damage to a parked vehicle

Abstract

A method for avoiding or reducing damage to a parked vehicle caused by a collision with an approaching vehicle performing a parking operation included determining, by the parked vehicle, a risk of collision, transmitting a warning signal if the risk of collision is sufficiently high, monitoring whether the approaching vehicle reacts to the warning signal, and performing a maneuver by the parked vehicle to avoid or reduce collision damage if there is no reaction. The maneuver may permit a controlled contact between the parked vehicle and the approaching vehicle to minimize the force of the contact. After such a controlled contact, a braking torque exerted by the parked vehicle is increased. Following completion of the damage avoidance maneuver, an estimate of the extent of the completed damage prevention is made and provided to the owner of the parked vehicle (including information about potential saved repair costs).