Robot Vehicle Removal Could Benefit Insurers

There are some advantages for insurance brands in the roll-out of vehicle removal tech like this being deployed on UK streets, and across business premises. The removal of untaxed, often uninsured vehicles, swiftly can often minimise various risks and uncover criminal activity such as stolen cars, chop shops, organised people or drug trafficking. So using robots, rather than people can mean vehicles parked in certain positions can be removed safely without using block and tackle lifting gear, single driver low loaders etc.

For some FNOL claims scenarios, a robot lift could potentially extract a heavy battery car from near a carriageway, or a car stuck in part of the infrastructure, bridges, buildings or signage.

Here’s the word on how it works;

 LeaseCar.uk has warned drivers that robots are being used to remove cars that have been parked illegally, or have failed to pay for a ticket. Recent videos have appeared online showing cars being towed away in Liverpool by remote-controlled robots.

Last year, almost 20,000 parking fines were issued every day by UK councils, and 30,000 were issued by private companies for breaking parking rules. Common reasons motorists can be fined include parking illegally in disabled bays, on double yellow lines, in a permit space without a valid permit or over the valid parking time. Millions of tickets are issued to drivers every year for failing to comply with basic parking rules, and it seems the hefty fine is not enough of a deterrent.

Now, robots have now been deployed in parts of the country in a bid to tackle the poor parking problem common among motorists. Originally built by French company Multitract, a robot named Eastract has been spotted in Liverpool removing illegally parked cars. Towing company Recovery North West (RNW), which specialises in towing heavy equipment, is managing the new innovation. The robot can carry a weight of 5,500 pounds, (good enough to shift heavy EV SUVs) just under the weight of two Ford Fiestas, and is powered by a 35-horsepower Briggs and Stratton engine.

It has been implemented in multi-storey car parks because it is able to pick up and remove problem cars easily in tightly restricted spaces. With revenue in the robotics market projected to reach 1 billion pounds this year, the UK should brace for increased integration of innovations like Eastract.