Hyundai Motor Group is testing a new way to make crowded parking garages far more efficient, using autonomous robots that can park and retrieve cars without the driver having to do anything beyond dropping the vehicle off.
The idea is simple. Instead of circling a garage looking for a space, the driver leaves the car at a designated drop-off point near the entrance. From there, a slim robotic platform moves underneath the vehicle, lifts it by the wheels, and carries it to an available space. When the owner is ready to leave, the car can be requested through a kiosk and brought back to the collection area.
The robots are only 110 mm, or 4.3 inches, tall, which allows them to slide beneath a wide range of vehicles. Once in position, they can move in any direction at speeds of up to 4.3 km/h, making it possible to place cars in spaces that would be difficult or impossible to use with conventional parking.
More Cars in the Same Garage
One of the biggest advantages of the system is that parked cars no longer need extra room for doors to open. That means vehicles can be positioned much closer together, potentially increasing the capacity of an existing garage by between 20% and 50%.
Hyundai is currently testing the technology at a residential complex in Siheung, southwest of Seoul, through a project involving Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Wia, and Hyundai E&C. The trial covers 53 underground parking spaces and uses two groups of robots, with the companies monitoring waiting times and how efficiently the available space can be used.
The robots rely on LiDAR sensors and surrounding-area detection to navigate through the garage. They can also handle vehicles weighing up to 3,400 kg, or 7,496 pounds, which means the system is capable of moving large SUVs and heavy electric vehicles as well as smaller passenger cars.
Why This Could Matter
Beyond fitting more cars into the same building, robotic parking could also reduce many of the frustrations that come with traditional garages. Drivers would no longer need to search for an empty space, squeeze through narrow gaps, or worry about bumping another car while parking. Hyundai also sees potential for lower emissions, since vehicles would spend less time driving around inside garages.
At ArabGT, we see this kind of technology as particularly interesting for busy residential and commercial developments, where parking space is often limited and expensive. If systems like this prove reliable in everyday use, they could allow existing garages to handle far more vehicles without requiring larger buildings or major structural changes.
The bigger question is whether drivers will be comfortable handing over their cars to a robot. Would you trust an automated system to lift your vehicle, move it through a garage, and park it in a space with only a few centimeters to spare?
