Hyundai Wia Releases Guidelines for Parking Robot Adoption, Expands Business

Hyundai Wia has released a guidebook (guidelines) outlining methods for introducing 'parking robots'—designed to resolve parking shortages in apartment complexes and other multi-family housing—and has embarked on a full-scale business expansion. During the 'Parking Solution Customer Invitation Event' held at the Hyundai Motor Group Uiwang Research Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the 19th and 20th, Hyundai Wia introduced parking robot functions as well as architectural designs and legal procedures (licensing) required for construction companies and redevelopment sites to adopt the robots.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) revised the 'Enforcement Rules of the Parking Lot Act' and 'Rules on Housing Construction Standards' in July, officially recognizing parking robots as mechanical parking devices and thereby permitting their installation in multi-family housing. Consequently, it is now possible to design parking lots exclusively for robots, and parking space dimensions can be adjusted to fit robot operations.

Demonstration results showed that while self-parking took 3 minutes and 33 seconds, parking via the robot was completed in just 51 seconds. Using LiDAR (a sensor that measures distance and shape using lasers) to recognize wheel position and size, the robot can transport vehicles up to 3.4 tons, including SUVs. Since no space is needed to open vehicle doors, double and triple parking are possible. The company explained that it can accommodate 20 to 50% more vehicles than conventional self-parking lots.

Starting at the end of this month, Hyundai Wia will form a consortium with Hyundai Motor and Hyundai E&C to launch the first domestic pilot project for multi-family housing at 'Hillstate The Wavicity' in Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province. The pilot project will cover 53 parking spaces on the first basement level and verify 57 scenarios, including pre-departure reservations via wall pads and apps, and responses to electric vehicle fires. The company is also pushing for the application of parking robots at the Apgujeong Zones 2, 3, and 5 reconstruction sites, where Hyundai E&C is in charge of the project.

A Hyundai Wia official stated, "We will provide parking robot solutions optimized for various living spaces, including multi-family housing, transportation hubs, and public facilities."