Helping untangle India’s traffic mess, a startup is transforming idle private parking into smart, revenue-generating hubs with AI, IoT-powered barriers, and EV charging. How is it possible? Amrit Choudhury and Raj Bihani from Parkobot narrate their story to EFY’s Akanksha Sondhi Gaur.
Q. What led to the inception of Parkobot, and which pain points in Indian urban parking inspired its creation?
A. The foundation of Parkobot goes back to our observations as technology entrepreneurs in 2016–17. We saw severe parking congestion in Indian cities, especially the habit of drivers circling endlessly in search of space.
Earlier, we ran a financial technology (fintech) company specialising in radio-frequency identification (RFID) and payments, and tried to tackle parking inefficiency with government bodies.
However, the market was unorganised, riddled with local touts, and resistant to digitisation. That friction motivated us to look at the vast untapped private parking slots, often misused, poorly monetised, or kept empty when owners were not around.
Thus, the concept of an ‘Airbnb for parking’, where private slots could be shared and monetised, was born. We developed Parkobot as a hardware barrier that stops illegal usage, and built a platform to allow owners to earn from unused slots, helping to decongest Indian streets.
Q. What gap does your parking solution fill? I mean, what makes it unique, and is it proprietary?
A. You see, globally, most parking automation systems still rely on boom barriers at entry points, without enabling true spot-level monetisation. With Parkobot, we pioneered both hardware and a platform that introduced Internet of Things (IoT)-driven smart barriers for individual parking spaces; the first of its kind worldwide.
This granular approach, unlike traditional access control, allows each spot to be monetised independently, creating a new category with no global competitor. Our solution is proprietary.
Q. Was the innovation developed entirely in-house, and how does retaining design control give you an edge?
A. Yes. Our team managed every aspect of design and engineering in-house, from printed circuit board (PCB) development and hardware to software and platform decisions. They are all tailored for the Indian urban scenario.
We follow a zero-outsourcing model for research and development (R&D), ensuring that user interface (UI)/user experience (UX), hardware, and proprietary technology remain core competencies.
Manufacturing is outsourced to partners in Kolkata, Chennai, and Taiwan; however, full design control enables us to innovate constantly and release upgraded versions annually, much like the smartphone cycle.
Q. What does your core technical stack consist of, and how is it evolving?
A. Our stack combines proprietary IoT-enabled PCBs with Bluetooth connectivity, linked to a cloud-based booking engine. The hardware layer uses ultrasonic and proximity sensors for secure barrier operation, while the artificial intelligence (AI) layer powers booking logic, dynamic pricing, and time/day-based charging.
Together, these two layers: the physical device and the cloud platform, are tightly integrated and already filed for patents. Our lithium battery versions run for six months to two years, depending on usage. All electronics, software, and design are developed in-house for rapid iteration, with more sensors added as requirements evolve.
Looking ahead, we are expanding the platform to encompass two-wheelers, buses, and trucks, with the goal of providing a comprehensive parking solution across all vehicle segments.
Q. Beyond parking barriers, what are your major products and technical features?
A. Our extended suite includes the parking management system (PMS) for boom barriers, helmet lockers (that double as payment stations for two-wheelers), and comprehensive site mapping for entry automation. Electric vehicle (EV) charging integrations enable exclusive spots reserved for EVs to avoid internal combustion engine (ICE) car encroachment, linking partners such as Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and other operators into our system. Patent filings cover our hardware modules and innovations, protecting unique features in global markets.
Q. How do you differ from conventional automated guided vehicles (AGVs), robotic platforms, and competitors in the parking space?
A. Unlike conventional robotic platforms, our system relies on a simple single-arm barrier that moves up and down, supported by built-in IoT and ultrasonic sensors for safety, rather than complex autonomous navigation. Our AI is primarily embedded in the booking engine, enabling ease of use and efficient management.
Moreover, Parkobot has no direct competition globally; it is the first solution focused on personal parking spots. Beyond resolving conflicts over spaces, it transforms private parking into a revenue-generating resource, which is also sharable and manageable.
Q. Beyond finding a parking slot, how do you leverage technology?
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