Robotic parking garage hits New York

Although international locales have warmed up quite nicely to automated parking garages, they haven't proven quite as popular here on American soil, and although Fort Lauderdale has one (and the Florida-based Hollywood Grande has one in the works), we'd say it's about time the Big Apple got one of its own. Notably, the controversial Robotic Parking Systems, Inc. that crafted the court-entangled deck in Hoboken, New Jersey won't have a hand in this one, as Automotion Parking Systems (the US subsidiary of Germany's Stolzer Parkhaus) will be utilizing its highly proclaimed technology to hopefully save New Yorkers from the same "drops and traps" that Garden State folks have unfortunately had to deal with. The company stated that in the 11 years it has crafted robotic garages, "only one car has been damaged," and it feels that even that single issue has been resolved with the latest sensor / laser upgrades. In fact, Ari Milstein, the director of planning for the firm, boldly stated that it's "a complete virtual impossibility that damage can occur," which most certainly leaves little no room for error. The Chinatown-based garage will hoist, shuffle, and park vehicles without a single human supervisor, stuffing 67 vehicles into a space that could typically hold 24, and it even spins your ride around when you return so there's no need to throw it in reverse when exiting. Rates actually aren't too outrageous either, as you'll be asked for around $400 for a monthly pass, or $25 if you're just in for the day.

[Max v W @ Jan 30th 2007 10:25AM]

Just like in the Movies! (i,Robot for one)

I like the idea, but I wonder how 'safe' it is, and what's the plan when many people want to 'check-out' at once. I'd like to know if there is a backup way to get your car out if the robots decide to go on strike and attack the human race, and if people can acccess the 'parked' cars (see backup way) but this time I'm talking about security / anti-theft stuff, you know.

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:07AM]

the system has many redundant and safty devices, unlike our competitors. In the instance where a ball game finishes and multitudes of people go out at once. the main issue is design of the system. The system entry room as baxter has 2. the basic system should handle 1 room per 50 cars. so we have exceeded that design requirement at Baxter. IN the design of a statium, the traffice flow would be analzed to determine the optimum car rate flow required. I for know, when I go to the Yankee game, I am waiting atleast 45min to an hour to get out of the garage. That issue of traffice flow into the street traffice will not be solved with the equipment.

Automated parking will make the vehicle secure from theft, dings, dents, and a car jockey damaging the vehicle. It will not solve every problem of traffic flow in large crowds and the street infrastructre unable to handle the cars.

[JohnAllison @ Jan 30th 2007 10:38AM]

I love the idea of a Robotic garage and the maximization of space. The price, wow, I just couldn't live in New York with a car.

[Pete D @ Jan 30th 2007 10:39AM]

I love how us NYCers consider $400 monthly a good price for parking. That is more than some peoples rent/morgage in other cities... On a side note, when is the next NYC meet up?

[Max v W @ Jan 30th 2007 11:08AM]

i,Robot anyone? ;)

Like the rest of you, I really like the idea, and it's definetely worth the cash if it works. But one of my main questions would be, is there a 'back-up' way to get your car back, like for instance, say the 'robot(s)' decide to destroy the human race, you'd still want your car, can you get it or is it impossible? If it IS possible, people have access to the cars, so what's the deal with security / anti-theft, just hanging some camera's would not be enough for me!

Luckely, I don't drive and have no problems with parking :)

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:07AM]

the system has many redundant backups. the final rbackup is a remote control joy stick which is wireless and can move the system electronic with all the safety devices temporarily removed. My 6 year son was able to operate it, very much like Nitendo.

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:06AM]

the system has many redundant backups. We run off a RAID system and it is not connected to the internet, so virus and hacking is not possible. If we need need to make remote changes we has the technology that allows us this option. the cameras and security features are done on a seperate system, so as not to have any external tampering of the system.

[cbradleyrun @ Jan 30th 2007 11:20AM]

I've heard that all oversea's versions have been flawless. But all of our versions have had some problems. A NJ company made one that dropped a Cadilac 6 stories and a jeep 4 stories. Let's wait and see...

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:06AM]

the system in Hoboken was designed by a firm which installed it's first system in NJ. No real track record as a firm. Our p[roduct has 32 inmstallation in 11 countries for over 12 years. Add to the basic material handling operations the firm has done with the same technology and we have over 30 years of flawless operations. it's reliabilty at the end of the day that matters. track records are key to making efficient affordable solutions for everyday use.

[Thomas Trautman @ Jan 30th 2007 11:27AM]

It looks like an in and out bay would be more effective if you have a line of people waiting to use it.

If they added a second bay you need two robots moving cars in the same space. sounds dicey. Definately not a place to park during a football game or concert.

http://www.vequalsir.com

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 10:58AM]

the system as design at baxter is not capable of doing a football statium, however, we have solutions with the same technology which could handle it. the real question is, can the streets handle the flow!

[zeekeorage @ Jan 30th 2007 11:57AM]

nothing short of human teleportation will be 'news' in the transport sector ok may be a maglev system like from Minority Report would do too

[Daemoncel @ Jan 30th 2007 12:10PM]

$400 is great, not a bad deal at all. i pay $580 and my place and it was a decent price

[Jh @ Jan 30th 2007 12:35PM]

A prototype of these has been built where I live, a small German town in the Black Forest. (That's because that company, Stolzer, is located right here.)
I'd be curious to try it out, but although construction works apparently finished months ago, the parking garage isn't open yet. As I understood it, some additional requirements had to be met, one of them concerning ceiling sprinklers. Moreover, a small newsagents' right at the parking lot, where one could seek assistance, was lacking its indispensible toilet ... This project in New York however shows me there are obviously more prestigious sites of higher priority having less problems getting started than our local prototype.

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 10:59AM]

you are mistaken about the construction requirements. The system is being installed as per the design. we are fine tuning issues and making sure safety devices operate as required. the system will be undergoing a few more weeks of testing before we will open up to the public.

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 10:59AM]

you are mistaken about the construction requirements. The system is being installed as per the design. we are fine tuning issues and making sure safety devices operate as required. the system will be undergoing a few more weeks of testing before we will open up to the public.

[Mike D @ Jan 30th 2007 12:46PM]

ok honey I'll be there in a minute just let me send the car away.. *car leaves* you forgot your purse?! don't get me wrong I love the idea its just not a great thing for forgetful people

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:11AM]

we got you covered. the system allows for reparking of vehicles. no need to take it out. This is New York, if it plays here, it plays anywhere. No where else is parking so complicated than in our home town. These and about 125 other issues, some foolish some not so foolish has been covered in our design

[jared @ Jan 30th 2007 1:36PM]

I want this in Boston, and I want it to dramatically lower my comprehensive insurance premium.

[I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Jan 30th 2007 2:20PM]

Watch it in action. (You may want to shrink your browser window size)

http://www.automotionparking.com/banner_main.swf

[Bob @ Jan 30th 2007 2:34PM]

Maybe we shouldn't design the world around forgetful people. Instead we should design it for people who are smart enough to remember s*** when they get out of the car.

Ever heard of a valet? You know a person gets in your car and drives it away, and to get it back you have to hand him a ticket and wait. If you forgot something in your car it will most likely take about the same amount of time to retrieve your car from a valet as from the robotic garage. So are you suggesting that we get rid of valets as well, I think rich people like myself just might have to revolt, I hate parking especially in the rain in D.C.

[PreGHz @ Jan 30th 2007 4:54PM]

400 bucks is rent for a one bedroom apartment in Des Moines.

[GJP303 @ Jan 30th 2007 5:18PM]

Another reason not to buy a big, bulky, gas guzzling hummer.

[chocomocha @ Jan 30th 2007 5:45PM]

In small Japan, a robot parking lot is natural.
http://www.mhiparking.co.jp/product/index.html

[Igor @ Jan 30th 2007 5:57PM]

$400 dollars for parking is completely ridiculous. Thats more than the monthly financing for most cars, people will be spending say $700 a month for their CLS and then spending another $400 on their parking, then another $300 a month for insurance (give or take) thats $1400 a month just to drive in the city. For that kind of money, if im not mistaken you can lease a Bentley, and a nice on at that. I think thats going way too far.

[Ominx @ Jan 30th 2007 6:27PM]

Show me a Bentley for $1200 a month and I'll meet you there in 5 minutes. Unless you're talking about used high mileage, a 06-07 Flying Spur (cheapest model) will run you over $3K.

[perry finkelman AutoMotion, CEO @ Feb 2nd 2007 11:01AM]

the operator determiones the prices, the price is determined by the market. many systems installed are operating as part of an amenity for office buildings or parking solutions where no money is charged

[Igor @ Jan 31st 2007 2:08AM]

I meant to say Viper, but I was thinking Bentley, my mistake. But an 07 Viper is quite an awesome car.

[parky @ Feb 5th 2007 1:45AM]

Everybody was worried about first Airplane. Can it fly? That's steel structure only!? Now nobody worring to fly with Jet. Parking system is much easier system than air plane.

[younes @ Feb 5th 2007 4:49PM]

$400 is not bad for this area. Most lots within a four block radius of where this project is being implemented run between $500 and $600 + 18% NYC Parking Tax.

[parky @ Feb 5th 2007 11:28PM]

Robot parking is well known concept & technology in Korea. Because 10 mil. cars should stay in small land, every cities need to install Robot parking system. Every year, 2,000 system being installed in Korea at the moment.

This technology can be transfered to anybody who are interest in. Give me email ([e-mail])