London Gatwick has become the first UK airport to launch a new robotic parking service to store cars without the need to hand over keys.
The airport has partnered with Stanley Robotics, which has developed an automated valet parking machine that allows passengers to drive into a dedicated private drop-off area before a flight, before the machines take care of the rest.
The robots will be located near the South Terminal, and are designed to cut the time it takes to drop off a car and head to check-in. The terminal can be reached via a short walk or a shuttle bus after parking.
The system works by driving into a dedicated cabin, scanning a booking code, parking the car inside and walking away.
The robots then lift the car by its tyres and park it in a secure space. Upon booking, customers will provide their return flight details so when they get back, the car will be waiting for them in a cabin.
The airport says the service is compatible with 95 per cent of standard-size vehicle models. For guidance, it can support a maximum wheelbase of 3.3 metres, height of 2.3 metres, wheel diameter of 21 inches and weight of 2.6 tonnes.
The new service is subject to certain time parameters, but Gatwick says that as it becomes more popular, these will be adjusted and eased.
For example, cars cannot be dropped off or picked up on weekends, the car has to be parked for a minimum of five days to be booked and the booking window is only open between 9am and 5pm every day.
Stanley Robotics’ system is already in use at Lyon airport in France, part of the Vinci airport group, of which Gatwick is also a member.
Oli Bedford, head of airport access at London Gatwick, said: “This is a real game-changer for our passengers. It’s quick, easy and completely hassle-free – and you even get to keep your keys, giving extra peace of mind while you’re enjoying your holiday.”
Testing out booking for five days in August, the total price to use robotic parking is £109, the same price as valet parking and only £8 more than short stay parking.
The service is now on sale, with the first passengers able to use robotic parking this August.
Read more: Gatwick Airport suffers major water shortage as travellers unable to flush toilets
