The day when we can get out of our car and have it park itself is quickly approaching. And Ford is showing off one of the first production-viable systems that will make it a reality.

Ford is calling it the Fully Assisted Parking Aid, with the system using sensors on either side of the vehicle to scan for an appropriately sized space, then automatically park the vehicle for the driver – whether or not he's in the car.

While automatic parallel parking systems have been around for nearly a decade, until now, they required the driver to stay inside the vehicle to shift gears and cover the brake. Ford's system eliminates the need for the driver to change from Drive to Reverse, but the lawyers have already spoiled the fun.

According to Ford, Fully Assisted Parking Aid only works when the driver holds a button in the car for the duration of the maneuver or, if he's outside, continue to retain pressure on a separate button (likely on the key fob or a smartphone app), "enabling them to cancel or override the system at any time."

We just want to push a button and walk away. Or even better, get out of the car and let it hunt for a space on its own – like Audi is developing.

Ford is also showing off a prototype system that would detect pedestrians and other vehicles in the car's path of travel and if sufficient braking force can't be applied in time, the car will automatically swerve to avoid hitting the obstacle. But for now, both systems are in the testing phases and won't make it to market for at least another three to four years.

Photo and video courtesy of Ford.