RememberVolkswagens car parking towersin Germany?
Users pay for their parking via a ticket machine, which enables access and retrieval of the bicycle.
The tower can hold up to 117 bicycles on seven tiers.
The unit can turn 360o degrees and ascend to place the bike into a bay.
The retrieval time is around 30 seconds.
Photo credit
Robotized cycle parking systems are not unusual across Asia, where space is at a premium.
The parking towers has been in operation since 2008.
Robotic parking has been used in some European countries such as Switzerland.
Carousel cycle systems have also been tried in the Netherlands.
This has tended to put off users.
In addition the automated system is costlier than more high-density basic cycle parking.
The underground cycle parking console in Tokyo.
