New sharing economy platform allows parking space owners and drivers to dynamically connect, share, rent and pay for available parking spots via an “Airbnb” parking concept
October 16, 2019, Hong Kong –– Microsoft and Let’s Park, a fast-growing smart mobility solution provider, announced today the launch of “Let’s Park” mobile app – an app that reinvents the parking concept to allow parking space owners and drivers to connect in real-time to share, rent and pay for available parking spots across 60 facilities in Hong Kong.
Aiming to take forward Hong Kong’s smart mobility journey through improving use of limited parking real estate, the “Let’s Park” app, powered by Microsoft Azure, leverages the shared economy model to maximize the use of idle parking spaces. Officially launched and available for free download starting today, this gives parking space owners, from group landlords to individual drivers, the ability to offer and fully utilize their parking spaces at a time of their choice.
Drivers in Hong Kong can now get the most complete view of the city’s available parking spaces, privately owned car parking spaces as well as other commercial that property offer parking. Key Hong Kong locations currently covered include Hung Hom, Tseung Kwan O, Tsuen Wan, Shau Kei Wan, Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Fanling, and Causeway Bay, with more locations to be added in future. Let’s Park gives drivers the choice to rent a space on hourly or monthly basis, book in advance and process payments all via a single app.
“We understand the challenges faced by drivers in Hong Kong and we’re excited to launch this app to benefit not only drivers, but also property management companies and parking space owners to unleash the potential of idle parking spaces to make the most out of their assets,” said Jessica So, General Manager of Let’s Park. “The app also gives users access to over 60 parking facilities in different parts of the city, providing more convenient and flexible parking experience.”
“The launch of the Let’s Park App is another major step in advancing Hong Kong’s smart city vision,” said Cally Chan, General Manager of Microsoft Hong Kong and Macau. “This platform leverages Microsoft’s intelligent cloud platform Azure and the powerful AI to unlock new value for Hong Kong citizens and we are proud of be part of this journey in revolutionizing the parking industry.”
The Let’s Park app leverages the reliability of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, advanced voice recognition and AI capabilities. The Microsoft Azure cloud platform also offers flexibility, on-demand resources, reliability and secure solutions. The intelligent cloud also provides Let’s Park great resources and support to enhance the app in near future with AI features such as dynamic pricing with intelligent data analytics.
Unique features of the app also include:
- A “time share” parking concept that goes beyond traditional hourly or monthly parking, where the business logic is based on historic Hong Kong parking industry patterns
- Instant booking confirmation by the digital payment mechanism
- Direct messaging function between “Parker” and “Owner”
- A secured platform for payment, and a selection of verified parking space that drivers can trust
- Insurance Protection to the “Owner” and Parker Protection Guarantee to the “Parker”
Now available in Hong Kong, Let’s Park has already established the partnership with Imperial Parking as well as attracting some private owners to join this digital parking solution to provide parking spaces. Moving forward, Let’s Park will look to expand the services to more parking management companies.
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About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
About Let’s Park
Let’s Park is a fast-growing smart mobility solution provider in Hong Kong, serving to energize the digital transformation of the parking industry from a fresh perspective. Officially launched on October 16, 2019, it’s “Let’s Park” app is a digital solution which answers the industry’s call for an automatic and user-friendly parking service, unleashing parking resources, maximizing revenue, and realizing the city’s vision for smart mobility.
