Machine-Operated Parking Is Here, And It's Freakishly Awesome

With automated cars ultimately likely to take driving out of the hands of us dangerous humans, automated parking systems are already taking over the business of parking.

The Unitronics automated parking system claims to allow more cars to be stored in less space, specifically for where development real estate is at a premium. Drivers simply roll up to a defined point, lining their car up according to instructions, and then the computers and machinery do the rest, lifting the car up and slotting it away until called for.

No valet is involved, says the firm, and the car stays locked with the handbrake on and engine off at all times. No one else needs to touch the vehicle at all, which will at least put a stop to those outrageous stories of damage caused by valets and recovery technicians.

The space advantages are measurable, but we wonder whether this might be another step in de-skilling human drivers – at least while we’re still legal. Let us know your thoughts.