On the 19th, at the Mobility Solutions test building of the Hyundai WIA(011210) Uiwang Research Center in Uiwang, Gyeonggi. When the driver stopped the Genesis midsize sport-utility vehicle (SUV) "GV80" in the entry zone and got out, two parking robots, each 110 mm thick, slid under the vehicle. Using lidar sensors, the robots precisely recognized the size and position of the wheels, then spread their arms and easily lifted the 2,075 kg GV80 at curb weight. The robots then double-parked the GV80 in front of other cars lined up in a row.
Baek Ik-jin, head of the Mobility Solutions division (executive director) at Hyundai WIA, said, "When a person parks directly, a certain gap is needed between cars, but parking robots can significantly reduce this, enabling double and triple parking," and added, "Compared with self-parking where drivers park themselves, efficiency can be increased by at least 20% and up to 50%." That day, Hyundai WIA showcased various ways to use parking robots in situations such as temporary exit to retrieve luggage left in the car and redistribution to fill vacant spots created by departures.
Korean corporations are accelerating commercialization of parking robots. They aim to solve chronic parking shortages caused by limited land area and dense residential environments with parking robots. In particular, Korean corporations show a technological edge in control systems that direct dozens of parking robots along optimal routes. After building proof-of-concept experience at various sites such as apartment complexes and airports in Korea, they plan to leverage their competitiveness to make a full-fledged push into global markets, including Europe.
◇ Lifts up to 3.4 tons and double, triple, parallel, and right-angle parks… maximizing space efficiency
On the 19th, Hyundai WIA held a "Parking solutions customer invitation event" at the Uiwang Research Center. About 800 customers were set to visit over the two days through the 20th. Attendees included representatives from general contractors, as well as heads of redevelopment and reconstruction associations, building and parking lot operators, and local governments. A representative from a general construction company said, "If Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments are reconstructed, we will deploy these parking robots, so I attended for market research," and added, "We plan to consider introducing them to high-end brand apartment complexes."
Korean corporations making parking robots include Hyundai WIA and HL Robotics. Their operating methods are the same. Two thin, plate-shaped robots form a set that slides under the car, calculates wheel spacing and size on its own, and then lifts and moves the wheels. HL Robotics' parking robot "PARKY" is 20 mm thinner than Hyundai WIA's. Instead, Hyundai WIA can lift up to 3.4 tons, while PARKY can lift up to 3 tons. That is enough to accommodate most passenger cars sold in Korea. Both companies have built systems that let users easily park and retrieve vehicles via an app.
Parking robots can rotate 360 degrees and move freely forward, backward, and side to side. They can handle not only double and triple parking but also right-angle and parallel parking, and when linked with lifts, they can travel between multiple floors. This raises parking efficiency by an average of more than 30%.
The cost-saving effect is also large. Baek said, "When building new apartments in Seoul and Gyeonggi, it costs 1 billion to 1.5 billion won per parking space, but introducing parking robots reduces that to one-third, or 20 million to 50 million won." Existing parking lots can also adopt the system with only a flattening process to remove speed bumps on the floor.
With legal and regulatory frameworks for parking robots established this year, Hyundai WIA and HL Robotics have been able to speed up commercialization. Hyundai WIA has finalized deployment in parts of Apgujeong Hyundai Apartments, considered the largest reconstruction site in Seoul, and will begin a pilot next month at an apartment complex in Siheung, Gyeonggi. HL Robotics will also operate PARKY at Gimpo Airport from next month through the end of the year. A Hyundai WIA representative said, "We are currently discussing collaborations with department stores," adding, "It will be used as a service for VIP customers."
◇ K parking robots eye overseas leadership… Hyundai WIA to enter Europe in the second half
Although global robot technology is advancing rapidly, only Korea and China have entered the parking robot field. There is no clear frontrunner yet, leaving it largely untapped. That gives Korean corporations a chance to seize the market first. Park Cheol-bae, head of robot sales at Hyundai WIA, said, "Parking robots consist of three main parts: hardware, driving software, and a control system. We show strength in the control system," and added, "China is only catching up to us in the driving software."
The stronger the control system capability, the better it can operate parking robots along optimal routes and efficiently arrange multiple vehicles. The control systems of Hyundai WIA and HL Robotics can currently control 50 sets of parking robots simultaneously. Baek said, "Some cars won't be used today, and some will be used only occasionally," adding, "The control system identifies these customer habits and autonomously determines the optimal parking positions."
The basis for promising investment value to customers also lies in the control system. Park said, "Assuming a 15% increase in parking fees at a 100-space parking tower on Teheran-ro in Seoul's Gangnam, if two sets of parking robots are deployed, the investment can be recovered in two years." He emphasized, "The key that enables such high profitability is precisely the control system."
They are also accelerating overseas expansion. Hyundai WIA plans to launch a parking robot solution in Europe in the second half. Baek said, "We have already started overseas sales, and Europe, with its high parking density, is the first market," and added, "Demand is also expected to be high in Southeast Asia and in Saudi Arabia, which is building a Smart City." An HL Robotics representative likewise said, "We are already receiving many inquiries from overseas," adding, "After building domestic commercialization records, we will enter foreign markets."
Parking robots are expected to evolve into a variety of services. Hyundai WIA envisions a future intelligent parking lot that provides services including ▲ entry and exit scanning ▲ unmanned valet parking ▲ automatic charging for EVs ▲ automatic car wash ▲ vehicle inspection ▲ response to EV fires. A Hyundai WIA representative said, "Parking robots will hand over EVs to automatic charging robots, and EVs at risk of fire will be moved to separate locations, providing comprehensive vehicle management services." Hyundai WIA aims to generate 400 billion won in revenue in 2028 from robots and automation solutions, including these parking robots.