French startup Stanley Robotics is building giant robots that pick up your car at the entrance of a parking lot and park it for you.

Named Stan, the robots may soon be seen at major airports across the globe to help make parking lots more efficient – and cost effective.

Leaving your car at the airport for a long period can be an expensive exercise. Airport parking lots have turned into one of the most lucrative businesses for airport companies.

And many airport parking lots have large areas of wasted space.

Stan will be waiting to pick your car up when you arrive at the airport and find a suitable space to store it. He will also know your itinerary and have your car waiting for you when you return.

And if somebody is going away for a while, the robot knows that it can put the car away in a corner and double park another car in front of it.

No key is needed

Stan works with all kinds of cars. It doesn’t need your key as it clamps your wheels, lifts the entire car and moves it around. Once the car is in a parking space, Stan puts the car down.

Stanley Robotics is already operating at Charles-de-Gaulle airport in Paris – one of the world’s busiest airports. It’s been years in the making, but a parking lot is now operated by robots.

Just recently the company raised US$4 million from Elaia Partners, Bpifrance and Idinvest Partners to expand the service.

The startup plans to sign new deals with more airports around the world.

Valet parking is about to take on a whole new meaning.