Some 60 percent of customers of the new technology are expected to be women, with beginner drivers also a target market, Honda Motor Co. said.

Helped by a marker on the passenger's seat, drivers using the system will need to line up with the car behind the space where they want to park.

By pressing a button, the car will move forward automatically and put the steering wheel in position to start backing up, with an automated voice offering directions.

"Of course, the system won't allow the driver to just sit back and have the car do the complete operation, but at least he won't have to twist his neck to look behind like he used to in the past," company spokesman Sakae Uruma said.

"This is a very simple system based on computerized information, and doesn't use anything complicated like a camera to measure the amount of free space left as the driver parks his car," Uruma added.

The system will be part of Honda's revamped Life mini-vehicle out in stores on October 5. The parking device on its own is priced at 52,500 yen (450 dollars).