Hoboken, NJ has one of two robotic parking garages in the US. It's disguised to look like a big brownstone, and fits over three times as many cars as a similarly-sized ramp-style garage would. There's much less air pollution with no idling cars, and the cars are completely secure from vandalism and the elements. Hoboken is a commuter community directly across the river from New York, and where parking has always been an enormous problem. A second robotic parking facility is located at a high-end apartment house in Washington D.C. (http://www.spacesaverparking.com/pro...kingdebut.html). Apparently one of the large Boston hospitals (many of which are crammed together in one area, with people parking and shuttling from miles away) is considering a similar facility.









More info:
http://www.roadtraffic-technology.com/projects/hoboken/

Testimonials:
http://www.robopark.com/testimonials.html

Boston.com article:
http://www.boston.com/realestate/art..._21st_century/

 

Interesting idea. I'd love to see that out here. :smile:

 

Best of all...................no frikken door dings.

 

Until the power goes out and you can't get your car back

 

reminds me of a BMW manufacturing plant video. :smile:

 

I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

You took the words right off my keyboard....I was thinking the exact same thing when I read this...pretty neat idea though..:smile: I'm sure MANY cities would benefit from this...

Donna
02' CR/W MCS (gone to MINI heaven)
05' Cool Blue MCSC

 

The cost per car claimed by the company is very competitive with the cost per car for parking garages in newer multi-family buildings in my town. Perhaps the best comparison would be to a parking valet, but without the human element. As with the parking valet people would have to become accustomed to waiting to drop off the car, waiting to pick up the car, and not having casual access. Add to that the complication of maintenance and emergency power supply. However it would make great sense in inner cities where underutilized older office buildings are being converted into housing and space and access are limited.