VIDEO: Audi shows off self-learning parking tech

Audi has created a scale model of its upcoming Q2 that, it claims, can autonomously master one of motoring's greatest challenges -- parking.

The 1:8 scale model of the small SUV is claimed, not only to seek out car park spots, but also self-park when it finds them.

Unlike current systems, the more times it parks the more the small Audi learns from its mistakes.

The German car-maker hasn't revealed whether "mistakes" involve paint-trading with other vehicles or nasty liaisons with the kerb, but does says when its on-board computers recognise a flawless piece of parking, it attempts to replicate them again in the future.

Developed with research partners from around the world, the new self-learning tech is the work of Audi Electronic Ventures -- a subsidiary of the German car-maker that's responsible for developing its autonomous tech.

The new technology fitted to the micro Q2 that allows it to accomplish the task most humans struggle with includes 10 ultrasonic sensors that are positioned around the car.

These are assisted by two cameras facing forward and towards the rear, a central on-board computer then processes all the data to control the steering and electric motor.

Once the system has found a space, the car's computer then determines its position relative to the parking space and begins the manoeuvre.

To begin with, the Q2 moves towards the general direction of the space.

In what's called "deep reinforcement learning", the system begins to learn by trial and error using complicated algorithms that autonomously identify what's successful and what isn't. This, says Audi, helps the car solve the problem.

With testing near complete with the scale model, Audi will next transfer the tech to full-size cars with part of the autonomous self-parking technology appearing in next year's all-new A8 limousine.