Many Americans view fully automated car parking systems as a brand-new technology. Yet, automated garages have been around for over 120 years. Of course, modern automated parking garages have more robust technology in place, but the fundamentals remain the same. Here are three surprising facts about automated parking garages, which run the gamut from automated parking towers to Ferris wheel parking garages to car vending machines, and more. If you want to learn more about automated parking and its origins, you're in the right place. Read on to learn more intriguing facts about parking garages that may pique your interest.
Automated Parking Has Been Around a Long Time
Automated parking garages aren't new inventions. The first-ever fully automated parking garage system opened in 1905, in Paris, France. Auguste Perret was its designer, a well-known architect at the time. The opening of this garage sparked the creation of a new industry that continues today.
Way back in the 1920s, automated parking garages were already a thing. In fact, the “Paternoster” was one of the most popular models at the time. It was essentially a massive Ferris wheel that parked and dispensed vehicles. The Paternoster could park eight cars in a space that generally only held two.
Automated Parking Has Amazing Safety Features
Some motorists are afraid to park in a fully automatic parking system due to safety concerns. Rest assured, automated garages are entirely safe. They've been perfected over the years and are built with safety in mind. First and foremost, they’re off-limits to humans! The robot parks your car for you, so you don’t have to deal with negotiating turns and aisles or risking getting hit by a car. Also, your car remains untouched since no human being can access your car while in the garage. That means you won't have to worry about vandalism, theft, or accidental damage.
Automated Parking Systems Can Be “Green”
Since automated parking garages save space, they're more sustainable than traditional parking. In fact, the systems wind up using much less energy than standard systems. Not only that, but you can also use renewable energy to power automated parking. That lessens the carbon footprint even further. If you're into sustainable living, you should embrace automated parking garages.
And remember the Ferris wheel parking garage that only took up two spaces? Another perk of automated parking is that you don't need much land to construct one. On average, they require up to 50 percent less space than a conventional garage. When built conservatively, they can use less than a third of the land it takes for a traditional garage.
Key Takeaways
Now that you've seen our facts, did any of them surprise you? Automated parking systems have been around for a very long time and continue to deliver great service and safety. We hope we've helped open your eyes to the value of fully automatic parking systems!