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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.