U.S.'s First Three-Story High-Density Automated Parking Garage Launches in Silicon Valley with Robotic Arm Charging

Lume Apartments in Menlo Park, California, recently unveiled the nation’s first three-story, high-density, fully automated parking facility—developed by Swiss company Sofetin and installed by Parkworks. The system automatically assigns parking spaces, transports vehicles, and uses robotic arms to plug in and unplug Level 2 EV chargers. Drivers simply park their cars at the entrance; the system handles all subsequent operations, and residents can even schedule charging via a mobile app. Due to its location within a FEMA-designated flood zone and local height restrictions that precluded an underground garage, the development adopted this innovative solution, offering over 450 parking spaces. The community comprises 441 residential units with comprehensive amenities, though rents are steep—starting at approximately $3,300 per month.