We’ve seen all kinds of semi-automated parking systems, including the new AI-powered system BMW is working on.
But this is something else.
This probably explains why it has already won an award at the ongoing CES 2024 in Las Vegas.
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Developed by a company called HL Mando, the little robot is called Parkie.
It is designed for one purpose and it does that brilliantly.
The robot is designed to help you park your car in tight spaces.
Or alternatively, if the car is already parked, it will move it from the parking spot for you.
This sounds useful, but wait until you hear how it does this.
Parkie can slide under your car, literally lift it up and move it around.
And because it can lift it up, the car can also rotate.
Reverse parking is easy because HL Mando can calculate whether the car fits, and if it does, it will lift it up and park it.
At CES 2024, Parkie won the Best Innovation Award and it’s easy to see why.
It is relatively compact, which means you don’t need a lot of space to store it.
There’s a catch, though.
HL Mando said they’re only selling it to companies, not individuals, at least for now.
Some will probably say that’s bad news for two reasons.
First, it means your favorite restaurant or hotel may have it and use it when you get there, but you won’t be able to actually carry it with you at all times and use it when you need it.
Second, it reinforces the narrative that technology will ‘steal’ jobs.
In fact, the company expects Parkie to save about 20 percent in parking costs compared to ‘conventional’ valets.
