Monarte develops floating parking pad to protect vehicles from floods

Tajima Motor Corporation's disaster-prevention subsidiary, Monarte, has developed the Monarte Floating Floor, a parking platform designed to protect vehicles from flash flooding. The system consists of a buoyant foam core coated in waterproof polyurea resin, which allows the platform to rise automatically with increasing water levels.

To ensure stability, the platform is held in place by steel guide posts that prevent it from drifting. The system is designed for simplicity, requiring no mechanical lifting components, electrical sensors, or manual activation. It has a load capacity rated at approximately 3,000kg (6,600 pounds), making it suitable for most passenger vehicles, including heavy SUVs and electric vehicles. The maximum lifting height is determined by the length of the installed guide posts.

The technology was showcased at the Tokyo Auto Salon. Its development follows recent extreme weather in Japan, including record-breaking rainfall in Nagoya that caused significant flooding and disrupted rail services.