And there was I thinking getting one stuck was the worst case scenario.

Almost there - good luck.

Graham

 

Well, we all loaded many of our personal vehicles into our automated parking structure, today, so that the film crew could shoot video of the cars coming and going from the structure and being shuttled to and from different parking spaces on different floors. Filming continues tomorrow afterwhich the video will be edited and uploaded to our website (Autoparkit.com). The video clips's files are too large to upload here, so I'll post a link when the edited version is ready. But here are some new stills.

 

I was able to upload some short video clips as well as some additional photos to Shutterfly. You can see the automated structure in motion at
http://autoparkit.shutterfly.com/.

 

The link is password protected.

 

Looking forward to seeing the clip when you remove the password or post it.

Is maximum vehicle length governed by wheelbase or overall length?

Graham

 

 

Dear Graham,
Overall length is the key in this case, as the pallets are larger than any wheelbase. However, since the system is is modular and customizable, it is conceivable that in a larger application with multiple floors, etc., that some floors have different sized spaces where you might have a compact car floor at one level and an SUV floor at another. The sensors at the entrance would measure the car and automatically send it to the parking space that most efficiently fits it. Thanks for your interest.
Ted

 

very cool, I was envisioning a turntable approach, but I suppose that takes up more space then your operation.

 

Dear Matt,
Since the system is modular, it is adaptable to many shapes and sizes. In this particular building, we had a very small lot. It is essentially 50'X110'. By the time you take off the 7' setbacks and the 1' outside walls, we had only 35' with which to build 8 apartments (each of which is over 1000sq. ft. and at least 16 parking spaces as required by code (all in 45' of height. Using conventional parking we could only build 4 units). We actually had room for 20 spaces although we kept it to 16 because as it is also our prototype and a learning facility we wanted to keep a lot of space available for training and bringing groups to see the structure. Our turntable lift turns the cars around after entry so that no one has to back into traffic cutting exit time down. Our system also has a "learning" capability that learns its users' habits, so that if someone leaves for work every morning at 8am, at 7:45am the system will shuttle the car to the cueing space closest to the lift, so that its retrieval time will be only a few seconds. The building of the structure is relatively simple, the programming of the automation is incredibly complicated and way beyond my comprehension level. The only thing I care about is that it works!
Ted

 

Dept. of Water and Power started laying conduit to hook up our power this past week, so that hopefully within the next week or so we will have full power as opposed to running of a diesel generator. Our testing has so far been limited to 30% speed because of power requirements. Full power testing coming soon. My "red" collection can be seen in the structure in the photos below: 2002 XKR, 1972 de Tomaso Pantera, 1978 Datsun 280Z. Someday soon, hopefully the '58 red Corvette will join the fun.

 

tberg, the red Pantera looks very cool. It has to be an attention getter when your out and about town.

Great parking concept...now reality. Hope you net mega $$$$.

Cheers

 

Dear Goldlion,
I don't think I've driven the Pantera more than once or twice this year, if that much. I just haven't had the time all summer, plus even though I've done the modifications to eliminate the overheating problems that all Panteras experienced when new, it is still not a prudent idea to take it out in 100 degree temperatures (as we in the San Fernando Valley have had nearly all summer) in the infamous Los Angeles traffic. I take it to the track (Audi club events) a couple of times a year, but I just couldn't make it this year. It is, however, a great attention getter when I take it out. After 40 years, its body lines are still modern looking and intoxicating, and even parked next to Audi R8's, it always garners the most attention. But, probably the real reason I don't take it out much anymore is because I just like driving my XKR around so much. Just as much attention getting but much easier to drive and enjoy on an everyday basis.

 

Update...Dept. of Water and Power is beginning to pull wire through the condiuts to the power pole in the alley and ultimately to the street. This should mean that we will have full power in the next week to 2 weeks. If this is the case, then we will have a "grand opening" sometime between Thanksgiving and Christmas. We will be having a block party of sorts where we close off the alley, have an elegant catered affair and have political dignataries (like the City Councilman of this district, the future mayor of L.A.,...), officials from Dept. of Building and Safety (since this is the pilot project for Los Angeles for automated parking), friends, and relatives attending. Any forum members who'd like an invitation, just let me know, and as soon as we have confirmed a date, I will send you an email invitation.

 

Wishing you all the best of luck and good investment return. If this is going to be profiitable, CA is the perfect place to pilot one. (Of course its 10x as costly to construct as say...Dallas)

 

We finally have a confirmed date for the GRAND OPENING of our first automated parking system on February 21, 2013. Of the thousands of photos and videos of the many different cars that were taken going in and out and up and down during our photo session guess which car was chosen for the invitation and promotional literature? (And I had nothing to do with the choice, I didn't even know that a choice had been made--see attachment below)

 

And by the way, any forum members who are interested in attending, please send me a message, and I will make sure to reserve a place for you.
Thanks,
Ted

 

Well, tomorrow is the Grand Opening of our first automated parking structure and we expect a large turnout of several hundred. Local politicians, developers, investors, family and friends are coming to see the official opening although the system has been working with tenants who are already living in the building for the past 3 weeks. Again, any local Jaguar forum members who would like to attend are welcome to come by, the ribbon cutting ceremony is at 9am followed by tours and food through about 4pm. I will be there from about 6am-1pm as I, unfortunately, have to leave to attend a funeral. The address is 14309 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91401 (near Van Nuys Blvd.). If you come by, stop and introduce yourself, just ask for Ted.
Hopefully, this will be the first of many such structures we build in the future.

 

I wish I could, but good luck anyway!

 

Bump so some other CA members can swing by and congratulate you! I hope it is only 1 of many.

 

Hey Ted, just came across this thread. Very impressive... and your Pantera is exquisite as well. I'll see you tomorrow about 8:45. Good luck and all the best!