Lootah opens Robot Park

He said the Municipality had contracted East& West Robotics LLC, a robotized car parks design and manufacturing company for accomplishing this model project since May 2005.

"Based on the directives of the Deputy Ruler of Dubai, UAE Minister of Finance and Industry and Chairman of Dubai Municipality Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Municipality has extended efforts to find effective means of work cooperating with different bodies seeking good investment in the field of public service," said Lootah.

He said it will benefit both the public and private sectors, at the same time it aims at the well being of the city and its residents, especially when the Municipality has recently started an Investment Office.

"The Municipality has recently worked out a basis for strategic partnership with a number of companies and establishments in the private sector in order to attract investments in different projects in various parts of the city and its public parks. For example, Dubai Water World, Dolphinarium at Creek Park, Star Gate project at Zaabeel Park and the domestic and construction waste recycling projects. In addition to this, a number of new projects are expected to be launched by the Municipality soon that will benefit the city in a big way in the future and enhance the services provided to the public," said Lootah.

He said the Robot Park, set up at a space of 7.5X7.5 metres behind Intercontinental Hotel can contain 16 cars at a time.

"According to the agreement with East& West Robotics LLC this robotized car parking facility will work on an experimental basis for six months. During the office hours the parking facility will be restricted for Dubai Municipality officials and after that it will be free for public," said Lootah.

He said the project is the first of its kind in the Arab region. "By experimenting with this kind of smart structures that work automatically Dubai Municipality finds that they can be quickly erected and removed if necessary. They can be utilized for beautifying the city and it is also possible to use the frontage of these facilities for Municipality advertisements with messages for creating awareness among the public. It can also be used for commercial advertisements and bring in revenue," said Lootah.

Eng. Essa Al Maidour, Assistant Director General for General Projects Affairs said the Robot Park carries great significance as it takes only a small space for erecting it. "Normally, the design of the structure looks like a multi-storied pillar that can contain a large number of cars," he said.

"This mechanically controlled car parking system is not found in many advanced countries. It contributes in enhancing the urban look of the Emirate of Dubai with a modern scientific facility distinguishing itself with other advanced countries of the world. It also helps in controlling the public parking system and reducing traffic jams in the city of Dubai, which is considered to be the hub of global activities and international exhibitions," said Al Maidour.

Eng. Nicholas Fuad Amiouni, Design and Production Manager of East& West Robotics LLC said this first of its kind project in the UAE and Middle East is an automated parking phenomenon that utilizes different electromechanical processes, complemented with artificial intelligence enabling it to park or retrieve a car without the help of a human attendant.

"Instead of a human attendant, an artificially intelligent system controller is initiated through the touch-tone of a mobile phone. In other words, it needs only a missed call to park a car and another to retrieve and drive away. It takes only 15 seconds to park a car," said Amiouni.

How to park a car

A motorist whilst driving towards the system to park his or her car, he or she shall command the system through a missed call to activate the system to computing senses that provides the intellectual preparation process. The system will then acknowledge the command by initiating complete system review, diagnostic tests and safety checks. A platform is then provided for the calling motorist's car. Once the motorist's car is on the platform and the motorist has stepped outside the system safety perimeter zone, the system will again initiate another complete system review, diagnostic test and safety check prior to ascending the car to its pre-assigned vacancy.

How to retrieve a car

A motorist will place another miss call, however this time, commanding the system to retrieve his or her car. The system will acknowledge the commanding by initiating a complete review, diagnostic test and safety check. The system is by then ready to retrieve the platform on which the car is parked whilst confirming the system review.

Amiouni said the company intends to experiment this system in other emirates of the country as well. "Dubai has always been the pioneers in bringing in the most advanced systems in the world to the UAE. A Robot parking facility for 500 cars will cost Dhs20 million," said Amiouni.