People Free Parking

Friday, October 5th 2007, 8:00 pm

By: News On 6

New technology is taking the people out of parking. In new automated parking garages, no one is behind the wheel. A computer software program does all the work. The News On 6â€™s Joshua Brakhage reports itâ€™s parking in the most efficient and environmentally friendly way possible.

It's a new spin on parking cars, parking without a person.

"It combines elevator equipment with horizontal movement," said Ari Milstein of Automotion Parking Systems.

So how does this work? You pull in and the computer tells you when to stop. You answer a few questions, take a ticket and leave.

"The car then gets transferred from the elevator onto a storage retrieval unit," said Milstein.

The retrieval unit then takes the car, spins it 180 degrees and places it in its proper cubbyhole.

This engineering marvel saves space, squeezing 67 cars in a New York City garage where 24 would normally fit. Customers love the lack of service.

"I was very happy to not go through all the hassles of having someone be in my car, touch my car, touch my things, dent my car, etc," Gary Gribbs, Automotion Parking Systems user said.

While Automotion's Parking Systems' garage is not the first of its kind, a competitor in New Jersey uses a different method, the Automotion System is unique in its back-up system to avoid potential problems.

"It is absolutely dummy proof,â€ said Milstein. â€œEvery component has a back-up. Every mistake that can be made has a sensor."

Sensors that rival Fort Knox! So if the car is sticking out for any reason, the machine stops operation.

Demand in the U.S. is stacking up for the people-free parking garages, where customers are happy to not tip and drive out without the dings. Thereâ€™s also an environmental advantage to automated parking, with no idling and moving of cars, there is less pollution.

Related Story:

Robot Parking Garage to Open in New York

Watch the video: Computers Parking Cars