With sensors from the MaxBotix ParkSonar series, you benefit from precise vehicle detection – perfect for operating parking lots, parking garages, and underground parking facilities! The proximity sensors accurately detect whether a vehicle is within the defined area, enabling precise capacity utilization display.
US manufacturer MaxBotix: Specialist in sensor technology
The sensors in the ParkSonar series come from the USA: Since 2004, MaxBotix has been developing and producing high-quality sensors that are characterized by precision, reliability, and durability. In the field of vehicle sensors, MaxBotix offers other solutions in addition to the ParkSonar series, such as CarSonar sensors. The manufacturer also offers sensors for tank level indication, cargo monitoring, and waste management.
ParkSonar series: Parking sensors that focus on the essentials
MaxBotix ParkSonar distance sensors concentrate on one core function: They determine whether or not a vehicle is present in a specific detection area. The focus here is not on the exact distance, but on the reliability of vehicle detection. The sensors perform these functions with impressive precision, while also covering a larger area. Distance measurement with ultrasound proves to be the optimal technology for this purpose.
The manufacturer designs these products specifically as sensors for vehicle detection. This is evident in the respective detection ranges. The measuring range covers a bandwidth from 15 cm to 645 cm. At the same time, the area detection varies among the different variants in this series and reaches a maximum proximity detection zone of up to 365 cm.
ParkSonar models at a glance: Different trigger distances
The sensors in the MaxBotix ParkSonar series are specially designed for use in parking lot and vehicle detection – the focus is on occupancy detection, not on detailed distance measurement.
The individual models differ in their fixed trigger distance and thus in the detection range in which they detect vehicles:
- MB1001 (ParkSonar EZ-72): Trigger distance 183 cm
- • MB1002 (ParkSonar EZ-84): Trigger distance 213 cm
- • MB1005 (ParkSonar EZ-96): Trigger distance 244 cm
- • MB1006 (ParkSonar EZ-108): Trigger distance 274 cm
- • MB1007 (ParkSonar EZ-120): Trigger distance 305 cm
- • MB1008 (ParkSonar EZ-132): Trigger distance 335 cm
- • MB1009 (ParkSonar EZ-144): Trigger distance 366 cm
Users can select the appropriate model depending on the desired range – from compact sensors for individual parking spaces to variants for large detection zones.
Would you like to purchase a MaxBotix ParkSonar and are interested in what these different values mean in practice? On the individual product pages at EXP Tech, you will find sketches that clearly illustrate the various detection ranges of sensor models such as ParkSonar MB1002 and ParkSonar MB1009.
Further technical details and sketches of the respective detection ranges can be found here: MB1001 | MB1002|MB1005 | MB1006 | MB1007 | MB1008 | MB1009
MaxBotix ParkSonar distance sensor in practice
The ParkSonar sensors reliably detect all types of vehicles: from cars and trucks to motorcycles. But what is the relevance of this ultrasonic distance measurement?
Drive-throughs & toll booths
The most important area of application is obvious: these sensors for vehicle detection are used in parking space management. Operators use them to record the occupancy of individual parking spaces and, on this basis, also determine the utilization rate. In addition, MaxBotix sensors can be integrated into intelligent traffic control systems for entire neighborhoods and cities.
Furthermore, the distance sensor serves other purposes where vehicle detection is important. A typical example is drive-through outlets at fast food restaurants: sensors can be used to detect the length of the line of cars at any time, and this data can be used to flexibly adjust the number of open windows. The same applies to private or public toll booths, where owners wait with their vehicles at the cash register.
Barriers & security
MaxBotix ParkSonar sensors are also frequently used in combination with barrier solutions. The sensors register whether a vehicle is in the defined detection area and then open or close the barrier accordingly. Such a distance sensor also provides valuable services in terms of safety: it prevents barriers or gates from closing despite a vehicle being in the measuring range and causing damage.
Smart parking: How operators and users can keep track of everything!
Parking space management, the most important application of the MaxBotix ParkSonar sensor, deserves a closer look. The parking sensor can be used in two ways for this task:
- Detection of vehicles in individual parking spaces
- Registration of vehicles at the entrance and exit
In both areas, the proximity sensor is used to detect occupancy. If you equip a parking garage with these sensors in the entrance area and on the individual parking spaces, you will receive real-time data on the total number of vehicles in the parking garage as well as data on the individual occupancy of the parking spaces. Both pieces of information are important because individual cars may be looking for a parking space or on their way to the exit. The total number of current parking space occupancy cannot therefore be used to determine whether the parking garage is overcrowded. For this, you need additional vehicle detection at the entrance and exit.
With the data on individual occupancy, you can perfect your parking space management. In a parking garage, for example, you know exactly where there are free parking spaces and how many there are. This data can be used automatically for traffic control within the parking garage. Appropriate display boards show customers where they can find a space for their vehicle. The same advantages can be seen in other large areas with parking space management, such as multi-story underground garages and huge parking lots in front of shopping centers, soccer stadiums, and similar locations.
Controlling traffic: Integration into comprehensive parking space management
Intelligent traffic control has rapidly gained in importance in recent years. There are several reasons for this:
- Population growth: In many cities, the growing population is overloading the traffic infrastructure. Traffic control systems counteract this in a targeted manner.
- Climate protection: Modern traffic management reduces unnecessary journeys, for example by avoiding long searches for parking spaces.
- User demands: In the digital age, road users expect local authorities to actively utilize technological advances.
With a parking sensor from the MaxBotix ParkSonar series, you are getting an indispensable component for intelligent traffic control. These sensors allow you to accurately detect available parking spaces and feed this data into automated traffic control systems.
This information can be displayed in various ways. In many cities, for example, there are digital display boards that show the exact number of available parking spaces on traffic signs. This encourages car users to drive to the parking garages and parking lots with the lowest occupancy rates.
Public transport associations are now also relying on precise vehicle detection for their Park&Ride parking spaces. Some associations allow interested parties to check the number of available parking spaces at the nearest train station in real time via the internet and an app. This saves unnecessary trips and increases the attractiveness of these Park&Ride parking spaces.
Parking sensor in impressive quality: these are the advantages
Whether parking space management in a commercial parking garage or intelligent traffic control in a municipality: for these and other purposes, it is best to rely on an industrial-grade distance sensor!
MaxBotix ParkSonar sensors meet high standards and offer relevant advantages:
- High measurement accuracy and reliability
- Optimized detection angle for vehicles
- Long service life
- Low power consumption
- Easy integration into automated systems
- Waterproof (IP67 or IP68)
Overall, the manufacturer has focused on the ideal combination of customized functionality and durability for these sensors. High-quality materials, compact design, and clean workmanship ensure longevity.
Convenient online: Buy MaxBotix ParkSonar
At EXP Tech, you can equip yourself with the right parking sensor from MaxBotix. Invest in sensors for your parking space management or other tasks that perform their function reliably and are an indispensable component of innovative concepts such as smart parking and smart cities!


