‘Parking robots’ work seamlessly… Hyundai Motor pilots at Siheung apartment complex

The Hyundai Motor Group is advancing a demonstration project for parking robots that move vehicles autonomously in underground apartment parking garages. Hyundai Motor, Hyundai Wia, and Hyundai E&C have formed a consortium to conduct the demonstration at 'Hillstate The Wave City' in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province. This project has received approval under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s smart city regulatory sandbox, securing government funding¹². As the first case of introducing parking robots in a domestic multi-family housing environment, this demonstration is drawing attention as an alternative technology to address severe parking space shortages and congestion issues³⁴¹.

The first of its kind in domestic multi-family housing: Demonstration begins in Siheung

'Hillstate The Wave City,' selected as the demonstration site, comprises 1,796 units and is scheduled for occupancy in 2027⁵. The demonstration area consists of a separate zone with 53 parking spaces on the basement level 1 of the apartment, where two sets of parking robots developed by Hyundai Wia will be deployed³⁴⁶. Unlike previous pilot operations conducted in limited spaces such as industrial complexes, this demonstration marks a significant turning point in validating robot-based smart parking technology in an actual residential area where people live³⁷.

Hyundai Wia has independently developed a 'Smart Parking Control System' capable of simultaneously controlling up to 50 sets to efficiently manage multiple robots⁶. Through this system, the company plans to systematically control the two robot sets deployed in the demonstration environment and maximize operational efficiency⁶⁷.

Operating principles of ultra-slim robots: Plate shape and LiDAR sensors

The deployed parking robots are plate-shaped with a thickness of 110mm (11cm), and operate in pairs that slide underneath vehicles⁵³⁴. LiDAR sensors mounted on the robots precisely detect the size and position of vehicle tires. The robots then extend arms to gently lift all four wheels and transport the vehicle to the designated parking space⁵⁷.

The robot’s maximum moving speed is 1.2 meters per second, and it can tow vehicles weighing up to 3.4 tons, including SUVs³⁴. Notably, the robot possesses mobility that allows movement in all directions—forward, backward, left, and right. This enables vehicles to be placed flexibly and precisely in spaces that are narrower and more complex than those navigable by human drivers⁴⁶⁸.

'Robot Valet Parking' summoned via kiosks and wall pads

The usage method is designed as 'Robot Valet Parking,' which operates without a driver inside the vehicle. Users park their cars at designated entry/exit zones within the complex and then disembark³⁴. Subsequently, users request their vehicles via parking lot kiosks or multi-family housing wall pads, prompting the robot to begin automatic transport³⁴⁷.

The same summoning method applies during vehicle exit⁴. In particular, an integrated service allowing simultaneous elevator calls via the wall pad has been applied, enabling users to reduce waiting times while waiting for their vehicles to arrive at the exit zone⁶.

Expectations for up to 50% increase in parking capacity and improved safety

Hyundai Motor Group projects that applying this technology will increase parking capacity by at least 20% and up to 50% compared to the same area³⁴⁶. This is possible because no space is required to open and close car doors, allowing for double and triple parking arrangements⁶⁹. It is evaluated as an alternative that can significantly alleviate parking difficulties using only existing spaces, without the need for new parking facility construction³.

Beyond spatial efficiency, safety and environmental benefits have also been highlighted. Completely separating the paths of vehicles and pedestrians can reduce the risk of safety accidents within parking lots⁶⁸. Additionally, unnecessary vehicle idling caused by searching for empty parking spaces will decrease, leading to reduced carbon emissions and fine dust⁶⁸⁷.

Goals to establish legal and institutional foundations and derive standard operating models

Institutional foundations have also been established. Since July 27, 2026, the Enforcement Rule of the Parking Lot Act, which includes installation and safety standards for 'automated transport parking devices' including parking robots, has been in effect³.

The Hyundai Motor Group consortium plans to meticulously measure quantitative indicators during the demonstration period². Key measurement items include entry/exit time per vehicle, user waiting time, parking success rate, robot utilization rate, monthly service volume, and parking space efficiency improvement rate, among others³⁶². Additionally, stability in real-world situations such as breakdowns or obstacle occurrences will also be verified³.

The collected data will be used to concrete proposals for improving related laws and regulations⁶². Furthermore, the ultimate goal is to derive a 'Standard Operating Model' that includes virtual environment models applicable to various urban spaces beyond residential facilities—such as commercial facilities, office buildings, and transportation hubs—as well as optimal layouts by building use and calculations for the required number of robots⁶²¹⁰. A Hyundai Motor Group official also emphasized that this demonstration is a crucial step in building a new parking paradigm for the smart city era, going beyond simple technology validation, and outlined a vision to present standard models scalable domestically and internationally based on data validated in real-world environments⁶⁸.