The Easiest Parking Space You’ll Never Have to Find: London Gatwick and Stanley Robotics Launch Robotic Parking

Passengers travelling from London Gatwick this summer can experience the future of hassle-free airport parking with the launch of a unique robotic parking service – the first of its kind at a UK airport.

Putting an end to parking stress, the new system – delivered in partnership with Stanley Robotics – allows passengers to simply drive into a dedicated private drop-off cabin, step out of their car and let high-tech robots take care of the rest.

And here’s the best bit: there’s no need to hand over your keys.

Located in the South Terminal, the service is designed to get passengers from car to check-in in no time, meaning more time to relax and get into holiday mode. Passengers can walk to the terminal from the robotic parking facility or hop on the free shuttle bus, providing great choice depending on passenger need.

Using the service is simple. Drive into a parking cabin, scan your booking, park your car inside and walk away with your keys in your pocket. The robots then carefully lift the car by its tyres and park it in a secure space. You’ll provide your return flight details so when you get back, your car will be waiting for you in a cabin, ready to go.

The new service is part of London Gatwick’s continued investment in making travelling easier and more enjoyable, cutting out the time spent searching for a space and making parking easy.

Oli Bedford, Head of Airport Access, Marketing and Commercial Products at London
Gatwick, said: “This is a real game-changer for our passengers. It’s quick, easy and completely
hassle-free – and you even get to keep your keys, giving extra peace of mind while you’re enjoying your holiday.”

Clément Boussard, Chief Executive Officer, Stanley Robotics: “We are thrilled to partner with
London Gatwick, a global leader in aviation, to deploy our solution and address their critical parking capacity challenges as they prepare for significant growth. This project marks a major milestone for Stanley Robotics in the UK, and we are proud to bring our innovative technology to one of the world’s most forward-thinking airports.”

The service will go on sale in the coming weeks, with the first passengers able to experience robotic parking this August.

Find out more here.

FAQ

How does it work?

You drive into a private, enclosed cabin, switch off your engine, leave your car and confirm via the on-screen terminal. From that point the robot takes care of the rest!

How do I collect my car?

Upon your return, simply scan your booking to access your waiting car, then collect it as the door
opens, ready to drive away.

Can I keep my car keys with me?

Yes – you keep your car keys with you for the duration of your trip, giving extra peace of mind while you’re away.

What happens if I forget something in my car after I’ve left it?

We will have assistance on site who can help retrieve any emergency items you may have left
behind.

Will I have to wait a long time for my car when I get back?

No – the system takes your flight return details and tracks this to ensure your car is returned quickly and efficiently. Your car will be brought back to a cabin ready for you to collect, helping you get on your way without delay.

What if something goes wrong or my car is damaged?

The robots use advanced technology to safely move your car, constantly monitoring their
surroundings to avoid obstacles. In the unlikely event of an issue, on-site teams are available to help.

How do I reach the terminal following drop-off?

The robot parking service is located in the South Terminal, at the top of the Long Stay car park. After drop-off, you can choose to walk a few minutes to the terminal or use the free shuttle bus.

Do I need to book in advance?

Yes – the robotic parking service must be booked in advance to guarantee your space and ensure a smooth experience on arrival. Unfortunately, we will not be able to accept customers turning up on the day.

What types of vehicles can use the service?

The service is suitable for most standard-sized cars and can support a maximum wheelbase of 3.3 metres, height of 2.3 metres, wheel diameter of 21 inches and weight of 2.6 tonnes.

NOTES

Initially, bookings of the robotic parking service will be subject to the below parameters. As the service scales, these will be adjusted and eased.

• Minimum 5-day Length of Stay
• Not available for entry or exit at weekends
• Bookable between 09:00 and 17:00

About Stanley Robotics 

Stanley Robotics is a deep tech company that combines hardware and software to provide solutions for outdoor logistics. The technology lies in a robot lifting and moving cars autonomously and in an intelligent storage management software. Robotics has transformed indoor logistics (e.g. in warehouses), resulting in a spectacular increase of productivity. Stanley Robotics’ ambition is to bring this transformation to outdoor logistics with its proprietary technologies. Founded in 2015, the SME is headquartered in Paris, France, and is also behind the world's first outdoor robotic valet parking service.

About London Gatwick

With around 43m annual passengers, London Gatwick is the UK’s second largest and one of Europe’s top airports. It is a vital piece of national infrastructure that drives both the national and regional economies by generating £5.5bn GVA and supporting over 76,000 jobs (2023). More than 60 airlines fly from the airport to over 160 short-haul and more than 50 long-haul destinations. With a declared maximum capacity of 57 movements an hour, London Gatwick is the most efficient single runway airport in the world.

The airport is located 28 miles south of the UK capital and is extremely well-connected, with more than a quarter of England’s population (15m people) – including all of London – less than one hour away by road or rail. A six-year, £2bn sustainable growth programme includes an ambitious plan to be a net zero airport by 2030 and to increase capacity by bringing the airport’s existing Northern Runway into routine use, alongside its Main Runway. VINCI Airports owns a 50.01% stake in the airport, with Global Infrastructure Partners managing the remaining 49.99%.

About VINCI Airports

VINCI Airports, as the leading private airport operator in the world, manages the development and operation of more than 70 airports located in 14 countries. VINCI Airports draws on its expertise as a comprehensive integrator to develop, finance, build and operate airports, leveraging its investment capability and know-how to optimise operational performance and modernise infrastructure while bringing about their environmental transition. In 2016, VINCI Airports became the first airport operator to commit to an international environmental strategy, setting itself the aim of reaching zero net emissions (scope 1 and 2) across the network by 2050 while supporting the territories’ local climate transition. For more information:
www.vinci-airports.com
@VINCIAirports
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vinci-airports/

About Global Infrastructure Partners

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a part of BlackRock, is a leading infrastructure investor that specialises in investing in, owning and operating some of the largest and most complex assets across the energy, transport, digital infrastructure and water and waste management sectors. With energy pragmatism central to our investment thesis, we are well positioned to support the global energy transition. GIP’s scaled platform has over $170bn in assets under management. We believe that our focus on real infrastructure assets, combined with our deep proprietary origination network and comprehensive operational expertise, enables us to be responsible stewards of our clients’ capital and to create positive economic impact for communities. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com.