# UK airport robotic parking rollout > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/uk-airport-robotic-parking-rollout > Updated: 2026-07-31T06:00:00.000Z. Sources: 13. Developments: 4. London Gatwick Airport has begun operating the United Kingdom’s first fully automated robotic parking system, originally announced in July 2026 and slated to start in August. Developed with French robotics specialist Stanley Robotics and built by German manufacturer Serva Transport Systems, the service lets drivers drop their cars in a dedicated cabin, keep their keys, and have autonomous robots lift, store and retrieve the vehicles in tightly packed blocks. The robot, branded “Stan”, can lift cars up to three tonnes and works around the clock, though passenger access is limited to weekdays between 9 am and 5 pm with a minimum five‑day stay. Drivers scan a booking ticket at the private drop‑off garage; the robot lifts the vehicle by its tyres and parks it in a secure, non‑public area. Retrieval follows the same automated process, and a free shuttle links the robotic bay to the South Terminal, with a walking option available. The system is compatible with about 95 % of car models; unusually sized vehicles may be excluded. The parking bay is monitored by 24‑hour security patrols and uses an automatic number‑plate‑recognition entry‑exit system. Gatwick expects the robot‑managed bays to boost parking capacity by up to 40 % in existing facilities and 60 % in new builds. Airport officials, including head of access Oli Bedford, describe the offering as a “game‑changer” and a “real revolution” for passengers, while Stanley Robotics CEO Clément Boussard highlights its significance for the UK market. Alongside the rollout, Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester airports launched a wheelchair‑accessible vehicle‑hire service to improve mobility for travelers. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Gatwick Airport launches automated robotic parking service Gatwick Airport and Stanley Robotics have introduced the UK’s first fully automated robotic parking system, with the robot Stan handling cars up to three tonnes, aiming to ease pre‑flight parking and boost slot 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gatwick-airport-launches-automated-robotic-parking-service ### 2026-07-28: London Gatwick Introduces UK's First Robotic Airport Parking Service London Gatwick Airport will launch the UK's first robotic parking service in August, partnering with Stanley Robotics to automate vehicle storage for passengers. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-gatwick-introduces-uks-first-robotic-airport-parking-service ### 2026-07-25: London Gatwick introduces UK's first airport robotic parking system London Gatwick, partnered with Stanley Robotics, will open a robotic parking service in August 2026, boosting capacity up to 60 % and letting passengers keep their keys while cars are stored and retrieved by a 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/london-gatwick-introduces-uks-first-airport-robotic-parking-system ### 2026-07-23: Gatwick Airport Launches UK's First Robotic Parking and Accessible Vehicle Hire Services Gatwick unveils the UK's first robotic parking system while Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester introduce an accessible vehicle hire service for disabled travellers. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gatwick-airport-launches-uks-first-robotic-parking-and-accessible-vehicle-hire-services --- Cite as: UK airport robotic parking rollout. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/uk-airport-robotic-parking-rollout