The newest parking garage guardian isn’t human; it’s a Maryland robot named Parker.
Standing five feet tall and weighing over 400 pounds, this high-tech patrol bot is making the rounds in Silver Spring’s Town Square Parking Garage.
Equipped with cameras, sensors, and a siren, Parker is designed to boost security and keep a digital eye on everything from suspicious activity to sloppy parking.
But don’t worry, he’s more helper than RoboCop, and he’s still in testing mode for the time being.
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Costing around $100,000, Parker the robot is part of Montgomery County’s push to enhance safety in public garages without putting additional strain on an already overworked police force.
County officials say this isn’t about replacing officers but adding another layer of surveillance in high-traffic areas.
And with nearly 190 police vacancies and officers clocking exhausting amounts of overtime, some robotic backup is starting to sound pretty reasonable.
The initiative is driven by real concerns.
A 2022 murder inside a downtown parking garage remains unsolved, and a rise in property crimes and car thefts has kept garage safety high on the agenda.
That’s where Parker the robot rolls in.
Built by California-based company Knightscope, this Maryland robot is designed to patrol autonomously and record up to 30 days of video.
It even includes a distress button that can connect people directly to police dispatchers.
In other words, if your parking job is criminal (but not actually illegal), Parker probably won’t call it in, although he will be watching.
Interestingly, Parker bears an uncanny resemblance to this security robot at an outdoor mall that looks straight out of Doctor Who.
Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Earl Stoddard says the Maryland robot is still in its testing phase.
“Once we know the technology is viable, then we would engage with the community to develop the process — what would the parameters be,” he said.
Unlike this real-life RoboCop that can shoot spike strips at car wheels, Parker is unlikely to be taking such an active role in crimefighting, at least for now.
For now, the Department of Transportation, which owns the robot, says Parker is ‘nowhere near launching’ and they’re still tweaking the system’s capabilities.
Local reactions are mixed.
Some drivers appreciate the added layer of safety, while others find the robotic presence unsettling.
But whether you love him or hate this technological marvel, Parker the robot is coming.
And if your wheels are over the line, he might ask his fellow robot to physically lift your car and park it for you.
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