How do ultrasonic parking sensors determine the distance to a solid object?
Answer
By measuring the time it takes for the echo to return
The system measures the elapsed time between emitting the high-frequency sound wave and receiving the echo; this time is directly proportional to the distance to the object.

Related Questions
Where and when was the modern electronic parking sensor generally credited as being invented?What measurement principle is heavily relied upon by the parking sensor technology developed by Beckers?Approximately how long ago did evidence suggest the very first dedicated park assist system emerged?How do ultrasonic parking sensors determine the distance to a solid object?What type of indicators did the earliest conceptual parking assist systems likely use?What limitation was inherent in older or base models utilizing fewer parking sensors?Who is specifically credited with inventing the modern electronic parking sensor system?What was the primary design goal of the initial 1987 warning-based system compared to modern systems?What frequency range defines the sound waves typically emitted by these proximity sensors?With what other features are more advanced electronic parking sensor systems often integrated today?Why did the need for parking assistance increase around the time of the late 1980s invention?