Stanley Robotics has announced the signing of a framework contract for valet parking robots at Gatwick Airport today (March 26, 2019) at Passenger Terminal Expo 2019.
Gatwick and Stanley Robotics will trial the solution from the second half of 2019 to early 2020. Passengers will simply leave their car in a well-lit, spacious parking station close to the airport’s South Terminal entrance and – without handing over keys – a driverless robot will gently lift up the car and store it in a secure car park.
The system will also be connected to real-time flight information so the robot can return the vehicle to the parking station. The user then receives an SMS that the vehicle is ready and waiting for their arrival.
Guy Stephenson, chief commercial officer at Gatwick Airport, said, “The valet parking robots could revolutionise parking at Gatwick and may also become commonplace at airports and other businesses across the world. The new service will be a convenient, personalised experience that will save passengers time, while also reducing vehicle emissions. With the potential to significantly increase car park capacity, this new automated system could also help the airport meet the increasing demand for air travel with only limited changes to our existing infrastructure.”
Stéphane Evanno, COO of Stanley Robotics, added, “We are now working with Gatwick to offer visitors a world-class experience. We aim to completely reinvent the parking experience and create a seamless customer journey. In addition, we will be maximising the efficient use of land for Gatwick and bringing it a sustainable solution, allowing us to envisage a long-term collaboration.”
More details on Gatwick’s trial will be released prior to the trial launch in the coming weeks.
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