| It seems that robotic parking structures are the wave | | | | that there actually is a robotic parking structure |
| of the future, and in many high-rent downtown | | | | company that is different; I wanted to correct a |
| business districts or high-rise apartment complexes | | | | misconception. The automated garages built by |
| where space is at a premium and parking is absolutely | | | | Robotic Parking Systems use NO hydraulics. Indeed, I |
| out of control when it comes to the cost, these robotic | | | | see some benefits to this too, as when hydraulic lines |
| garages become the perfect solution. Still, today | | | | break the fluid goes everywhere and ruins cars, so this |
| everyone is concerned about energy usage, and | | | | would solve that issue, perhaps of interest? |
| everyone is trying to cut back, and become a more | | | | ** Additional Update; The FATA Skyparks system |
| green company; thus, reducing their carbon footprint. | | | | does not utilize hydraulics either and there seems to |
| So, this presents a Catch-22 as the downtown area | | | | be a tend occurring here. Martin Mattia writes; "many |
| real estate becomes more and more valuable, (after | | | | suppliers are moving away from hydraulics due to their |
| this current recessionary crisis in the commercial real | | | | performance characteristics at various temperatures." |
| estate market) and the costs for parking become a | | | | And he also points out that regenerative energy |
| premium. However, one should also understand that | | | | systems, similar to the concept used in hybrid cars, is |
| robotic parking structures use a lot of hydraulics, and | | | | becoming more common, although cost is a |
| therefore the energy usage, while it is significant, is not | | | | consideration. |
| nearly as much if you might expect or believe it to be, | | | | The climate and temperature issue issue is quite a |
| at least on most of these systems. | | | | common problem. If you will recall in the aviation sector, |
| When shopping for robotic parking garages, equipment, | | | | the FAA changes the requirements for hydraulic fluid |
| and structures a company should ask lots of questions | | | | due to environmental concerns, but then nose landing |
| such as the energy use per the parking of each | | | | gears were having issues. Remember those wheel |
| individual car and that should be divided by two, | | | | wells in aircraft get very cold and are not pressurized, |
| because retrieving the car also takes energy. | | | | see that issue with hydraulics? Also Sunlite Bus in the |
| However lifting a car up takes more energy, then | | | | California desert was using Hydrogen Fuel cell buses |
| bringing it back down, and some robotic systems of | | | | and ran into cooling issues with the already extremely |
| this type are engineered in such a way to save | | | | hot coverters. So, temperature does matter regardless |
| money (money = energy in this case) on the return trip. | | | | of industry; Martin's comments are indeed well |
| Therefore, if you are considering an automatic parking | | | | founded. |
| system of this type that is fully robotic, then you should | | | | And too his point I'd like to add a comment to the |
| shop around, and also consider the construction and | | | | regenerative braking systems, similar systems are |
| equipment costs amortized over a 20 year period, | | | | now being used at the Ports to offload containers, |
| then add in the estimated costs for energy, and divide | | | | which is saving vast amounts of energy considering |
| that up amongst the number of business days. After | | | | some of these late model cargo ships have 20,000 |
| you do that you'll have a better understanding of the | | | | plus containers on them, think about it. Robotic Parking |
| cost structure between the different types of units | | | | is innovating, and using what works. |
| available. Please consider all this. | | | | Why not consider robotic parking structures? It only |
| ****Update: I am advised by Mary Lou DeWynGaert, | | | | makes sense. |