The
Transformer
Our next successful business came out of a single
brainstorm session. Again, we wanted practical solutions to sell to the
ever more frustrated commuters. What would make getting to work a little
less painful? How could we utilize all these now very cheap sensors,
actuators and electronic controls to benefit mankind? Doug Schumann
pointed out that parking was another important part of the commuter's
hassles. We tossed around some parking size compression ideas, some ways
to cut the daily cost of parking and some ways to reduce all the land
wasted for parking of automobiles. Then Frank Yeaple came up with the
idea for the TRANSFORMER option for any size automobile! And, of course,
good old Gene Langworthy bought the very first prototype and we
installed it on his used 2003 Lexus.
The PARKING TRANSFORMER™ caught on
fast with wealthy people. They loved just going up to any desired
parking spot whether or not some one else is already parked there and
using it themselves! No more worming your way out of your car in tight
spaces in a parking lot. No more door dings!
The TRANSFORMER option added 6
articulated hydraulic legs that retracted until entirely hidden under
you car's frame. You just drove to the spot closest to your destination,
stopped in the middle of the street and got out. The car then
automatically extended the six legs and raised up to a height higher
than the car currently parked in the coveted spot. It took a lot of
software for the control system to enable this TRANSFORMER to walk
itself carefully over to and above the car already in the spot. It then
"parked" itself above that car (legs stayed extended while
parked) and waited for your return. In the event the owner of the car
below came out first, the TRANSFORMER sensed that and immediately
"walked" itself forward or to the side (that was the real
reason we had to go with six legs - not just four). Soon as the other
car departed, your car would autonomously take over that spot and
untransform itself. We sold 2.3 million units in 4 years!
Fig. 2.
The Parking Transformer. (
Artwork courtesy of Steve Crompton, Opus Graphics)