Unitronics: The Future is Now for Automated Parking
from Trust the Leaders Issue 23, Spring 2009
Established in 1989, Unitronics is a global supplier of automation technology solutions, and a designer, developer, producer and worldwide marketer of programmable logic controllers (“PLCs”) — the computer “brains” that automate machines, production lines and other automated processes.
Unitronics’ controllers and logistics solutions automate many thousands of systems in diverse fields including petrochemical, automotive, food processing, pharmaceutical and more.
For instance, Unitronics PLCs are key components of Unitronics P2 Automated Parking Solutions — garages that can store double or more the number of cars compared to conventional ramp-style garages of the same volume.
The Story of Automated Parking Systems
Due to the recent energy and fuel crisis, as well as the subprime housing catastrophe, more people are moving from the suburbs to urban areas. As a result, automated parking solutions in these overcrowded cities are needed more than ever before.
Automated parking systems utilize computer-controlled, motorized vehicles such as elevators, conveyors and shuttle cars to transport passenger cars from the arrival level to a parking space and vice versa, all without human assistance.
The customer simply drives into a user-friendly entry bay, exits his car and activates the system with the push of a button or swiping of a card. Based on advanced algorithms, the automated parking system determines where the car will be stored and moves the car to the storage location. Upon return, the system retrieves the car and quickly delivers it to the driver in a convenient exit-facing position. Drivers enjoy a fast and safe valet-parking experience — without the valet.
The main advantage of the system is the ability to fit more vehicles in less space. Automated parking systems facilitate high-density storage by eliminating the need for ramps, and allowing cars to be stacked literally bumper to bumper and door to door. Because cars are parked with their engines off, the systems significantly reduce exhaust emissions, providing a more environmentally friendly solution.
Interestingly, cost is not really an issue where automated parking systems are concerned, since these systems can be available at a cost per parking space similar to conventional parking. One can choose between dramatically reducing the total volume required for a given number of parking spaces (using a similar investment in the parking system, but gaining extra space or land), or doubling the number of cars that can be accommodated in a given amount of space (with a higher total investment in the parking system, but gaining double or more parking spaces).
In December 2006, the City of Hoboken, New Jersey chose Unitronics to upgrade its existing automated parking facility — one of the first automated garages in the United States, with a capacity of more than 300 cars. The project included repair of mechanical and electrical systems and replacement of the control systems and management software. This facility has been fully operational since January 2008.
“As with the Hoboken project, Unitronics is committed to continuously building superior automated parking facilities in the U.S. market,” explains Haim Shani, Chief Executive Officer of Unitronics. “These facilities are cost effective and very beneficial for citizens, creating a new revenue stream for local authorities and helping to reduce the amount of fuel being used, thus conserving energy to ensure a greener environment.”
How It All Works
Automated parking systems include mechanical elements such as shelves (racking system), elevators and shuttle cars, all of which are guided by control elements (the PLCs) and orchestrated by an Automated Parking Management System (APMS) software suite.
Unitronics chose a PLC from its Vision™ series for the heart of its automated parking control system because of its friendly integrated touch-panel interface and rich feature set. Key features include remote access and a local database, both of which promote high system availability and reliability.
A PLC with an integrated touch-panel interface is installed in the reception area. This controller is responsible for taking the car to an optimized spot within the garage as well as for its return.
Upon exiting their cars, customers set the parking process in motion by simply entering their user name and password on the PLC’s clear, bright touchscreen, much like they would use an ATM. Upon return, members enter their user information again to start the retrieval process.
The PLC’s well-designed human machine interface (HMI) makes it easy for garage operators and technicians to conduct immediate diagnostics and troubleshoot the system should any deviations from standard performance occur. Using Unitronics’ unique Info Mode, technicians and operators can check the real-time status of sensors, distance-measurement lasers and other parameters. For example, if there is a problem with a moving part, the operator can check the PLC located on the part in question and immediately determine whether there is a control problem or a fault with a sensor or motor drive.
However, it is not always feasible to have a technician go to the physical location of the PLC in order to diagnose a problem. The automated garage is a multi-level building, reaching as high as 60 feet. To ensure the safety of the technicians and a provide a high level of service, Unitronics makes use of the Vision’s Remote Access utility. This utility enables technicians and approved personnel to remotely monitor and access all PLCs. In standard industrial applications, the Remote Access feature is widely used to enable businesses to operate controllers and systems from anywhere in the world. Connected by Ethernet local networks, GSM/GPRS modems or internet-enabled networks, Unitronics PLCs can be operated from as close as a floor manager’s office and from as far away as a system integrator’s PC across the globe.
Topology and Connectivity
Unitronics chose a distributed control topology to provide enhanced efficiency, manageability and reliability. A PLC is installed in each conveying element and all controllers are connected to one main TCP/IP network. Elements that have static control cabinets (e.g., elevators) are connected by wires. Components with moving control cabinets (e.g., shuttle cars) are connected via a wireless Ethernet (WiFi). The wireless connection eliminates the need to lay cables throughout the site, enables moving parts to be easily networked and enables technicians to access any PLC from anywhere in the building using a WiFi-enabled PC. Having a PLC with a friendly graphics-based HMI installed on each system element enables local handling of single components, problem isolation and manual operation of specific parts.
Local Databases
Information regarding the location of each car (by a specific identifier) is saved in the PLC’s internal database. This means that should a failure of the central computer occur, the garage can continue to function in a semi-automatic or manual mode using the information in data tables to locate cars.
Unitronics uses data tables for similar purposes in the logistics systems and automated warehouses that it designs and builds in other installations. In such systems, Vision PLCs keep records of the location and loads they handle (pallets, crates, containers, etc.), enabling semi-automatic operation of the warehouse in case of malfunction.
Optional Advanced Capabilities
The Unitronics automated parking system includes support for additional advanced-communication features based on the Vision™ series’ existing capabilities. One such option enables the controllers to be connected to a GSM cellular modem. This allows the controller to send SMS messages to technicians in case of system faults, and enables technicians to request and receive data from the PLC via their mobile phone and send commands to the PLC via SMS to quickly modify parameters such as speed and acceleration.
Another available option is integration with a License Plate Recognition (LPR) system to enable automatic recognition of cars entering the bay. This system can be connected to Vision™ PLCs without requiring a unique protocol, thanks to Vision’s “Protocols Function Block.”
In industrial applications, this software feature is used to connect PLCs to a variety of external devices, such as bar-code readers for use in production lines or automatic warehouses, without the need for extra development
About Unitronics
Unitronics products and services are distributed through more than 140 distributors, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary and in approximately 50 countries throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and Africa.
Unitronics is headquartered in Airport City next to the Ben-Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, Israel.
Unitronics shares are traded on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and on the EuroNext Stock Exchange in Brussels, Belgium.
SGR is pleased to have represented Unitronics for a number of years in its legal matters throughout the United States, including patent litigation, patent prosecution, contract negotiations, and immigration and other employment-law matters.
“It is particularly rewarding to represent Unitronics with regard to its automated parking technology,” notes Jonathan Minnen, SGR’s relationship partner for Unitronics. “The wise use of land is of interest to many of our practice groups, and Unitronics’ parking technology allows less space to be used to achieve community parking needs.”
For more information, visit unitronics.com
