“The robot takes care of the parking” ... AI valet parking comes to Gimpo Airport

[Financial News] An AI robot parking service has been introduced at the international terminal parking lot at Gimpo Airport. Drivers leave their vehicles at a designated spot, and the robot automatically moves them to a parking space. The service is expected to reduce the time departing passengers spend looking for an open space and ease the inconvenience of loading and unloading luggage in a cramped parking lot.
Korea Airports Corporation said it launched a pilot service for “AI Robot Valet Parking” on the first basement level of the international terminal parking lot at Gimpo Airport on the 27th.
With robot valet parking, customers leave their vehicles in a designated area, and a parking robot lifts each vehicle and automatically transports it to an empty parking space. Customers can leave their vehicles and head straight to the departure hall without having to park themselves. The service can also reduce the inconvenience travelers with a lot of luggage face when getting in and out of their vehicles or moving their bags in a tight parking space.
The pilot service operates by advance reservation from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nighttime hours have been excluded to ensure stable operations during the initial phase, and the company plans to consider extending operating hours based on demand and flight schedules. The robot valet service is free during the pilot period, but standard parking fees still apply.
Customers who wish to use the service can make a reservation through the Korea Airports Corporation website, the Smart Airport app, or the QR code on an information poster at the site. After verifying their identity by mobile phone, they enter their vehicle information and preferred entry and exit times.
At the reserved time, customers park their vehicles in the designated area and request vehicle entry at a kiosk, after which the robot parks the vehicle. A notification is sent via KakaoTalk once the vehicle has been parked. To retrieve the vehicle, customers can also make a request at the kiosk, and the robot will move it to the vehicle pickup area. Outside operating hours, however, customers must drive their vehicles out of the parking space themselves.
Eligible vehicles are limited to those no more than 5.25 m long, 2.15 m wide, 1.85 m high, and 2,650 kg in weight. Some large sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) are not eligible, so customers should check their vehicle’s dimensions when making a reservation.
Korea Airports Corporation plans to survey customer satisfaction during the pilot period and consider improving the service and expanding it to other airports.
Korea Airports Corporation President Kim Won-jun said, “Robot valet parking is a technology that can reduce the inconvenience of airport parking and make more efficient use of parking spaces. We will work to ensure that this pilot service becomes something people can experience in their everyday lives.”
[email protected] Kim Dong-ho Reporter