ISO 17386-2023 PDF

Full title and description

Intelligent transport systems — Manoeuvring aids for low-speed operation (MALSO) — Performance requirements and test procedures (ISO 17386:2023). This international standard specifies minimum functional requirements, failure indication rules and performance test procedures for MALSO systems fitted to light-duty road vehicles to support drivers during low-speed manoeuvres by detecting and reporting nearby obstacles within a short detection range.

Abstract

ISO 17386:2023 addresses light-duty vehicles (passenger cars, pick-up trucks, light vans and sport utility vehicles; motorcycles excluded) equipped with Manoeuvring Aids for Low Speed Operation (MALSO). It defines the minimum functionality drivers can expect, minimum requirements for failure indication and the performance test procedures needed to verify those requirements. The standard focuses on systems that use object-range sensing (in practice often ultrasonic sensors) and specifies test objects and procedures appropriate to that technology. Visibility-enhancement systems that do not provide distance ranging or warnings (for example basic camera-only aids) and reversing/obstacle-detection devices for heavy commercial vehicles are excluded.

General information

• Status: Published
• Publication date: 26 May 2023
• Publisher: International Organization for Standardization (ISO)
• ICS / categories: 43.040.15 (Intelligent transport systems)
• Edition / version: Edition 3 (2023)
• Number of pages: 21

Scope

The scope of ISO 17386:2023 covers the specification of minimum functionality and performance requirements, plus test procedures, for Manoeuvring Aids for Low Speed Operation (MALSO) fitted to light-duty vehicles. The standard addresses obstacle detection and driver information within a defined short-range detection zone, failure indication requirements, and a general information strategy without mandating specific displays. It does not cover heavy commercial vehicle reversing aids, motorcycle systems, or camera-only visibility aids that lack distance-ranging and warning functions. Test objects and procedures are defined with reference to commonly used ultrasonic sensing technology, with the expectation that these may be reviewed if alternative sensing technologies become widespread.

Key topics and requirements

• Minimum functional requirements for MALSO (detection and driver information within a short detection range).
• Performance test procedures for validating detection accuracy and system behaviour (Clause 7 and associated test methods).
• Requirements for failure/fault indication to the driver (how failures must be signalled).
• Definition of test objects and test scenarios (based on ultrasonic sensor characteristics).
• Rules for the general information strategy (types and timing of warnings) without prescribing specific display technologies.
• Exclusions and limits: camera-only visibility systems (without ranging/warning), heavy commercial vehicles, and motorcycles.
• Provisions allowing adaptation of test objects/procedures where sensing technology differs from ultrasonic sensors.

Typical use and users

ISO 17386:2023 is used by vehicle manufacturers, sensor and system suppliers, system integrators, test and certification laboratories, regulatory and homologation authorities, OEM safety engineers, and aftermarket equipment developers. It is applied during product development, conformance testing, supplier acceptance testing and regulatory compliance activities related to low-speed manoeuvring aids (parking and obstacle-detection systems) for passenger and light commercial vehicles.

Related standards

Standards and documents commonly associated with ISO 17386:2023 include other intelligent transport systems performance/test standards (for example ISO 17387 for lane-change decision aids), vehicle functional-safety and cybersecurity standards (ISO 26262 and ISO/SAE 21434), and national/regulatory test procedures for parking and reversing aids. ISO 17386:2023 supersedes the previous edition ISO 17386:2010 (and the earlier 2004 edition) and sits within the ISO/TC 204 family of ITS standards.

Keywords

MALSO, manoeuvring aids, low-speed operation, parking sensors, ultrasonic sensors, obstacle detection, performance requirements, test procedures, intelligent transport systems, ISO 17386:2023.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ISO 17386:2023 is an international standard that specifies performance requirements and test procedures for Manoeuvring Aids for Low Speed Operation (MALSO) fitted to light-duty vehicles to detect obstacles and inform the driver during low-speed manoeuvres.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers minimum functionality (detection and driver information within a short range), failure indication requirements, and laboratory/test procedures (including defined test objects) to verify MALSO performance. It excludes heavy commercial vehicle reversing aids, motorcycle systems and camera-only aids without distance ranging or warning functions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Vehicle OEMs, sensor and system suppliers, test laboratories, conformity assessment bodies, regulators, safety engineers and aftermarket equipment manufacturers use this standard during design, validation and certification of low-speed manoeuvring aid systems.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: It is current. ISO 17386:2023 was published on 26 May 2023 and replaces ISO 17386:2010 (and the earlier 2004 edition).

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the body of ISO work on intelligent transport systems maintained by ISO/TC 204 and is related to other ITS performance/test standards (for example standards addressing lane-change aids and other driver-assistance performance requirements), but it is a standalone standard specific to MALSO.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: MALSO, manoeuvring aids, low-speed operation, obstacle detection, parking sensors, ultrasonic, performance requirements, test procedures, ITS.