In 1961, Princess Margaret, the younger sister of Queen Elizabeth, arrived in the London borough of Woolwich for the unveiling ceremony of the UK's first ever fully mechanised car parking machine.
To many, this 256-space structure with its state-of-the-art system of pulleys, levers and conveyer belts was seen as a wonder of the modern age. Some even went as far as to predict that its arrival heralded the end of the inconvenience of having to park one's own car.
However, after dutifully cutting the red ribbon, the princess pressed the button to load the first vehicle, which proceeded to get jammed in and had to be levered out. A year later, and after repeated malfunctions, the building was torn down and the project was quietly dropped.
Despite these inauspicious beginnings, the dream of a fully automatic car park did not die in Woolwich and, more than half a century later, the concept is still considered as a solution to the congestion that blights many urban areas. Thus, numerous manufacturers have drafted similar designs, albeit ones that are more technically advanced.
Of course, Abu Dhabi's city centre parking nightmares are well-documented. Consequently these companies are eyeing up the city as a fertile ground for some big-money contracts.
One of these is Skyline Parking, a Swiss firm, that, according to its CEO, Jürg Iseli, produces the most space-and-time-efficient robotic car parks out there.
After showcasing the company's designs at this year's World Future Energy Summit, Iseli now insists that the powers-that-be have been impressed with his product's scope for solving the city's parking problems. He maintains Skyline's structures, which can be built in either tower or basement form, will be on their way to the UAE capital in the very near future.
Iseli says: "We have had a lot of interest in Abu Dhabi because we offer a unique possibility to reduce the city's parking problems. People told me that the average waiting time to find a parking space is at least 15 minutes and sometimes it's more. This can ruin people's lives."
Of course, this is not hyperbole. Ask most motorists who inhabit the city's Tourist Club Area, and they will readily detail the daily exasperation they face in their quest for a parking spot.
Mawaqif, which began its roll-out in late 2009, may have gone some way to restoring order from the sheer chaos of previous years. Yet, in a city where public transport is still in its infancy and a car is almost a necessity for getting around, supply of parking spaces is still superseded by demand.
Multi-storey car parks seem an obvious solution to this dilemma, yet the high-density of development often precludes the construction of these vast structures.
Iseli claims this is where Skyline could fit in, as his company's product can be built on much smaller plots of land.
"I saw many places which are ideal for [Skyline]," he suggests. "I noticed there are a lot of dilapidated houses and buildings which are no longer habited that could be knocked down. Instead of building offices or apartments, these spaces could be used in the middle of the city to make such automated parking systems."
So, if Skyline does appear, instead of wasting time hunting for a parking space, motorists would instead drive up to the foot of the tower and leave their car on an entry ramp.
Before exiting, they would be reminded by an electronic voice to turn off their engine and apply the handbrake. Their vehicle would then be conveyed onto a high-speed lift, which transports it to a computer-assigned parking space.
Iseli says there are many advantages to this system when compared to both traditional concrete car parks and rival robotic systems: "Ours is the quickest in the world. You can retrieve your car in less than a minute, whereas our competitors take two and a half minutes. Also, it can fit three times as many cars in a certain space as you could in a normal self-park space."
Iseli believes this will free up more room for parks and other green areas in the city. Also, as vehicles will spend less time circling the streets, this will reduce CO2 emissions and other pollutants.
The Review put Iseli's claims to Peter Guest, a UK-based car parking consultant and former president of the British Parking Association. Guest has a familiarity with Abu Dhabi's on-street issues after working with Abu Dhabi Municipality in the early stages of drawing up its Mawaqif scheme.
He said he had not heard of Skyline Parking, but knew of similar ventures, and heeded caution regarding any of these automated parking schemes.
Guest claims: "In the right place and the right circumstances, it's a viable option but I don't think a robotic car park can ever provide the same level of service as a self-park car park. On paper they're perfect, but you put human beings into the equation and it doesn't work quite as well."
Guest believed the reported retrieval times are not entirely accurate. He says: "I have never been able to satisfactorily demonstrate the retrieval times that the robotic car parkers claim are actually valid. And when you start to question them, they become evasive.
"They claim that I go to the front door, I press the button and my car is either despatched or it comes back in 60 to 90 seconds. But what happens if there is a large queue? You get to the point that the fifth or sixth guy is waiting 10 minutes for his car."
And he says there are also other oversights.
"When you look at [automated car park manufacturers'] presentations, the pretty girl drives her car up and gets out and walks away. She never stops to pick up her handbag. She never checks her make-up in the mirror. She never gets things out of the boot. All these activities are taking place on the entry and exit portal and none of these things are recognised in the arithmetic of robotic parkers."
Climatic issues also needed addressing and the UAE's harsh environment could affect its mechanism, claims Guest. "A traditional car park is basically just a block of concrete," he suggests. "And this doesn't need a specialist to maintain. Whereas for a machine, these are provided by specialist companies with bespoke designs.
"But if you have a component that fails and it needs shipping from Switzerland, and it's two weeks before you can get another one, does that mean you won't be getting your car back for two weeks?
"These [automated car parks] things are machines, they have electric motors, tracks, trucks and computerised parts. All of these have to be maintained, serviced and replaced. Some of these parts may only last for four years. Whereas if you look at a self-park car park, it's built to an engineering design for 30 to 50 years.
"Of course, there are some areas of Abu Dhabi where robotic car parks should be a consideration - especially in over-developed parts like Tourist Club Area. But there are other parts where, with a bit of imagination, a normal car park would more than suffice."
So, while robotic car parks could become a regular fixture of Abu Dhabi's skyline in years to come, whether they are the panacea to its chronic parking woes remains to be seen. As the motorists of yesteryear in Woolwich will surely agree.
Hugo Berger is a features writer for The National.
Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
HAJJAN
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Abu%20Bakr%20Shawky%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3EStarring%3A%20Omar%20Alatawi%2C%20Tulin%20Essam%2C%20Ibrahim%20Al-Hasawi%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
10 tips for entry-level job seekers
- Have an up-to-date, professional LinkedIn profile. If you don’t have a LinkedIn account, set one up today. Avoid poor-quality profile pictures with distracting backgrounds. Include a professional summary and begin to grow your network.
- Keep track of the job trends in your sector through the news. Apply for job alerts at your dream organisations and the types of jobs you want – LinkedIn uses AI to share similar relevant jobs based on your selections.
- Double check that you’ve highlighted relevant skills on your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- For most entry-level jobs, your resume will first be filtered by an applicant tracking system for keywords. Look closely at the description of the job you are applying for and mirror the language as much as possible (while being honest and accurate about your skills and experience).
- Keep your CV professional and in a simple format – make sure you tailor your cover letter and application to the company and role.
- Go online and look for details on job specifications for your target position. Make a list of skills required and set yourself some learning goals to tick off all the necessary skills one by one.
- Don’t be afraid to reach outside your immediate friends and family to other acquaintances and let them know you are looking for new opportunities.
- Make sure you’ve set your LinkedIn profile to signal that you are “open to opportunities”. Also be sure to use LinkedIn to search for people who are still actively hiring by searching for those that have the headline “I’m hiring” or “We’re hiring” in their profile.
- Prepare for online interviews using mock interview tools. Even before landing interviews, it can be useful to start practising.
- Be professional and patient. Always be professional with whoever you are interacting with throughout your search process, this will be remembered. You need to be patient, dedicated and not give up on your search. Candidates need to make sure they are following up appropriately for roles they have applied.
Arda Atalay, head of Mena private sector at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, Rudy Bier, managing partner of Kinetic Business Solutions and Ben Kinerman Daltrey, co-founder of KinFitz
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The bio
Job: Coder, website designer and chief executive, Trinet solutions
School: Year 8 pupil at Elite English School in Abu Hail, Deira
Role Models: Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk
Dream City: San Francisco
Hometown: Dubai
City of birth: Thiruvilla, Kerala
WHAT%20ARE%20THE%20PRODUCTS%20WITHIN%20THE%20THREE%20MAJOR%20CATEGORIES%3F
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20materials%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20specifically%20engineered%20to%20exhibit%20novel%20or%20enhanced%20properties%2C%20that%20confer%20superior%20performance%20relative%20to%20conventional%20materials%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20components%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20semiconductor%20components%2C%20such%20as%20microprocessors%20and%20other%20computer%20chips%2C%20and%20computer%20vision%20components%20such%20as%20lenses%20and%20image%20sensors%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAdvanced%20products%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20includes%20personal%20electronics%2C%20smart%20home%20devices%20and%20space%20technologies%2C%20along%20with%20industry-enabling%20products%20such%20as%20robots%2C%203D%20printing%20equipment%20and%20exoskeletons%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Strategy%26amp%3B%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
THE SIXTH SENSE
Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Rating: 5/5
How to become a Boglehead
Bogleheads follow simple investing philosophies to build their wealth and live better lives. Just follow these steps.
• Spend less than you earn and save the rest. You can do this by earning more, or being frugal. Better still, do both.
• Invest early, invest often. It takes time to grow your wealth on the stock market. The sooner you begin, the better.
• Choose the right level of risk. Don't gamble by investing in get-rich-quick schemes or high-risk plays. Don't play it too safe, either, by leaving long-term savings in cash.
• Diversify. Do not keep all your eggs in one basket. Spread your money between different companies, sectors, markets and asset classes such as bonds and property.
• Keep charges low. The biggest drag on investment performance is all the charges you pay to advisers and active fund managers.
• Keep it simple. Complexity is your enemy. You can build a balanced, diversified portfolio with just a handful of ETFs.
• Forget timing the market. Nobody knows where share prices will go next, so don't try to second-guess them.
• Stick with it. Do not sell up in a market crash. Use the opportunity to invest more at the lower price.
Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
MATCH INFO
Liverpool v Manchester City, Sunday, 8.30pm UAE
The White Lotus: Season three
Creator: Mike White
Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell
Rating: 4.5/5
THE SPECS
Engine: 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 petrol engine
Power: 420kW
Torque: 780Nm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
Price: From Dh1,350,000
On sale: Available for preorder now
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
