Gatwick Airport Introduces Robotic Parking Service

London Gatwick Airport is set to debut the United Kingdom's first robotic airport parking service, aiming to alleviate stress for holidaymakers by automating the parking process. The new offering, available at the South Terminal, allows travelers to drop off their vehicles in a designated cabin, after which autonomous robots will handle parking.

The service utilizes robots developed by Stanley Robotics, described as a method to make parking closer to the terminal effortless. Passengers will not need to hand over their car keys, with the robots taking care of all parking procedures. Upon returning from their trip, vehicles will be ready for collection, a short walk or bus ride from the terminal.

This initiative is part of Gatwick's ongoing investment to enhance the travel experience by reducing the time spent searching for parking spaces. Oli Bedford, head of airport access, marketing and commercial products at London Gatwick, called the technology a "real game-changer" for passengers, noting it is quick, easy, and hassle-free, with the added benefit of travelers retaining their keys.

Clement Boussard, CEO of Stanley Robotics, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with Gatwick, highlighting the solution's role in addressing parking capacity challenges and preparing for significant growth. This deployment marks a significant milestone for Stanley Robotics in the UK.

The robotic parking service will be available for booking starting in August. This development comes amidst recent criticism of British airports for imposing high "kiss-and-fly" fees for passenger drop-offs, with over three-quarters of airports increasing or introducing such charges in the past year. Gatwick and Stansted currently charge £10 for a ten-minute and fifteen-minute drop-off, respectively.