Robot Startup Will Save You a Spot at the Mall
Photo: MyPark via YouTube
As the nation gears up to Black Friday, you might end up with a particular question as you search through the madness for a parking spot—is that a robot saving a parking space?
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Depending on where you are, the answer might be yes—large malls are starting to implement a system known as MyPark, where you use an app to rent a prime parking space. You just reserve a spot, use the app to lower the robot’s arms, and park. The robot and app then keep track of how long you are there, and charge you for the time spent in the spot. Rates vary, but hover around $3 per hour.
The system was born from years-old annoyance by MyPark co-founder Ricardo Blanco. Back in the 90s, Blanco had a reserved parking spot at his construction firm, but people would frequently park there for the next-door bank, despite on-site security. Blanco figured that to keep his spot clear, he would need to have the security officer stand in the middle of the spot until he arrived. The filed a patent for the small space-saving robot in 2014.
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For now, the company has partnerships with the Simon Property Group, the largest mall operator in the U.S., as well as the Mall of America. The rental spaces are so far in five states and Puerto Rico. So, as you get ready for your Black Friday shopping run, maybe check and see if your mall is one of the ones on MyPark’s list of locations. It could take one of the most stressful parts of the day out of the equation.
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