Automotive
Floating parking pad designed in Japan protects vehicles from rising floodwaters
A buoyant foam platform safeguards parked vehicles during floods, Car and Driver reports.
The short version
- Monarte, a subsidiary of Tajima Motor, developed a resin-coated waterproof foam parking pad held by four steel posts to float cars as waters rise.[Car and Driver]
- The buoyant platform holds more than 6,600 pounds to support heavy electric vehicles, relying on no electrical sensors or mechanical parts.[Car and Driver]
- The technology follows severe flash floods across Japan that damaged hundreds of vehicles.[Car and Driver]
- System height limits remain unspecified because maximum clearance depends entirely on installed post lengths.[Car and Driver]
Key facts
- Recent flash flooding across Japan damaged hundreds of vehicles.[Car and Driver]
- The Monarte Floating Floor consists of a resin-coated waterproof foam slab guided by four steel posts.[Car and Driver]
- The platform has a lifting rating of over 6,600 pounds to accommodate heavy electric vehicles.[Car and Driver]
- The unit operates without electric sensors, float tanks, or mechanical components.[Car and Driver]
- Monarte operates as a subsidiary of Tajima Motor, founded by Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima.[Car and Driver]
What remains uncertain
- The maximum water height capacity is not fixed, as it varies based on the custom length of the steel posts installed.[Car and Driver]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.