Parking Robots Are Here For Those Who Don’t Want to Park Their Cars ThemselvesMotorBiscuitSaajan JogiaMon, September 21, 2026 at 12:08 PM UTCAdd us on GoogleFor those who find parking to be a time-consuming or difficult task, London's Gatwick Airport has them covered, as it has begun introducing robotic parking technology that can collect a vehicle from a drop-off area and place it in a secure parking space without a human driver behind the wheel.The system, described as the UK's first robotic airport parking service, has been introduced at Gatwick's South Terminal. That means instead of searching for a space and walking through a large parking facility, travelers can leave their cars at a private garage and allow the robots to handle the rest, according to Autoblog.The machines are essentially autonomous vehicle-moving platforms. They slide underneath a parked car and use mechanisms that grip around its tires, allowing them to lift and transport the vehicle. The robots only make contact with the tires, they do not touch the car's chassis. This allows drivers to lock their vehicles and keep their keys after handing the car over.AdvertisementAdvertisementOnce collected, the robot takes the vehicle to an access-restricted parking area, where cars can be positioned extremely close together. The robots do not need to follow conventional parking-space markings, allowing the facility to make more efficient use of its available area.Image Credit: Gatwick AirportThe technology is designed to accommodate a wide variety of vehicles, with compatibility claimed for around 95% of vehicle models. Of course, there are exceptions. Cars with a wheelbase exceeding 10.8 feet, vehicles towing trailers, and particularly long pickup trucks are among those that are excluded. Vehicles taller than 7.5 feet, including those carrying roof boxes or bicycle carriers, are also unsuitable. In addition, vehicles with less than 4.7 inches of ground clearance or weighing more than 5,732 pounds cannot use the system.The robots are supplied by Stanley Robotics, and fortunately, in case of a malfunction, the robot would simply stop rather than behave unpredictably around the vehicles and potentially cause a crash.AdvertisementAdvertisementGetting the car back is designed to be just as straightforward. Passengers can either walk back to the robotic parking facility or take the free shuttle bus to the robotic parking area.Once at the garages, drivers can use the screen outside to scan their QR code and follow the instructions displayed. The system then retrieves the vehicle and brings it back to the collection area, ready for the owner to drive away.Security is another part of the setup. The parking area is surrounded by perimeter fencing and floodlighting, while 24-hour security patrols monitor the site. Automatic number-plate recognition also tracks vehicles entering and leaving the facility.For travelers, the goal is straightforward: leave the car at the designated garage, let the robots take care of parking, and continue toward the terminal without having to find a space themselves. Or would it be easier to leave home earlier so one can find the perfect parking spot and park their vehicle themselves? You choose.