Stanley Robotics' AGV robot "Stan" Photo: MHI
tech

MHI tests automated valet parking system using robots at mall in Chiba

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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd (MHI) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems Ltd have begun testing of an automated valet parking system at a large-scale commercial facility near Tokyo.

The system employs automated guided vehicle (AGV) robots, dubbed "Stan," manufactured by Stanley Robotics, a French venture-backed company. The event marks the first application of this type of autonomous vehicle handling system in a commercial complex in Japan.

The testing is taking place in a designated parking zone at Shisui Premium Outlets, an outlet mall located in Chiba Prefecture, which is operated by Mitsubishi Estate. Vehicles will be transported autonomously by AGV robots in an environment close to actual application, to verify handling performance and evaluate user satisfaction.

MHI Group said it is targeting nationwide deployment of automated valet parking systems as well as automated systems for transporting finished vehicles. Working in collaboration with Stanley Robotics, a world leader in the development and deployment of automated valet parking systems using AGV robots, MHI has been undertaking demonstration testing since October 2021.

Concepts behind AGV robot-based automated valet parking

  1. Arrival: The customer parks in one of the "berths" installed next to the facility, and simply drop off the vehicle. There is no need to search for a parking space or to walk from a distant parking space even in inclement weather.

  2. Automated transportation: The AGV robot automatically transports the vehicle to a designated parking space. Robot-assisted parking enables more efficient use of limited space, to increase parking capacity. Storing the vehicle in the segregated parking area also prevents accidents or thefts.

  3. Reservation for departure: The customer can simply make a reservation for departure at any time by smartphone app. As the reservation time approaches, the vehicle is automatically transported to the berth. Since the customer can confirm the vehicle status by app, it is possible to continue shopping, dining, etc. thus making more effective use of time.

  4. Departure: The vehicle is available for pick-up at the berth at the reserved time, so there is no waiting. The berth is spacious, enabling easy loading of passengers and packages comfortably without stress.

How Stanley Robotics' AGV robot "Stan" operates

The AGV robot "Stan" equips with a platform that lifts the vehicle's four wheels, and automatically transports the vehicle indoors or outdoors. This robot started commercial operation in 2018 in a parking garage at Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport in France, and has subsequently gone into service at Gatwick Airport in London.

Source: MHI Group

© JCN Newswire

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

2 Comments
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Looks like an interesting option to save time and effort for people that frequent places with big parking spaces, the reservation system at departure is specially important since the robots don't look so fast so they may need quite some time to pick up the vehicle. I worry about people that may block the departure space by making a reservation and then taking too much time to reach their cars, but in Japan with the obsessive fixation with being on time for everything this may not be such a big problem.

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