UK. London Gatwick Airport will become the first UK airport to trial robots that valet park passengers’ cars. The airport will test new technology, developed by French company Stanley Robotics, from the second half of 2019 to early 2020.
It means customers will be able to leave their car in a designated parking station close to the South Terminal entrance and the driverless robot will then lift it up and store it in a secure car park.
The technology is also connected to real-time flight information, which means the robot returns the vehicle to the parking station so it is waiting for the owner on their return.
Stanley Robotics’ technology has been in operation at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport since 2016, and in 2017 was introduced to an external car park at Lyon Saint Exupéry Airport.
Gatwick Airport Chief Commercial Officer Guy Stephenson 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.”
Stanley Robotics Chief Operating Officer Stéphane Evanno added: “The UK is of strategic importance to Stanley Robotics; the market provides exciting potential for our product. Thanks to this first partnership, we have established an office and team in the country to further this agenda.
“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.”
