Auckland Museum operates a busy underground car park with a constant flow of visitors, staff, and event traffic throughout the day.
The existing system relied on legacy LPR hardware that was no longer performing reliably. Plate reads were often missed or inaccurate, which led to issues at the gates and a frustrating experience for visitors trying to enter or exit the site.
At the same time, the Museum needed to modernise its parking operation - introducing more flexible, self-service payment options and improving overall visibility — without disrupting daily operations or the flow of vehicles on site.
This meant any upgrade needed to work within the existing layout, integrate with current workflows, and be deployed with minimal downtime.
The Inugo Solution
Inugo delivered a full upgrade of the parking system, replacing outdated components with high-accuracy AI-powered LPR and modern access infrastructure — all while retaining the existing parking layout.
Rather than rebuilding the site from scratch, the focus was on enhancing what was already there.
The solution included:
- AI-powered LPR cameras for highly accurate vehicle recognition
- Automated gate control on both entry and exit
- Multiple digital payment options linked directly to vehicle plates
- A cloud-based management platform for real-time monitoring and control
By introducing a connected software layer across the site, the Museum was able to modernise its operation without the need for major physical changes.
How It Works
The system is designed to be seamless for both operators and visitors.
On entry, vehicles are detected using AI LPR cameras. Plates are read instantly, and gates open automatically — removing the need for tickets or manual interaction.
During their visit, users can choose how they want to pay. Payments can be completed via mobile, QR code, or on-site terminals, all linked directly to the vehicle’s licence plate.
On exit, the system checks the vehicle against payment records in real time. If payment has been completed, the gate opens automatically. If not, users are prompted to complete payment before leaving.
The result is a fully automated, ticketless parking experience.
Results & Impact
The upgrade delivered immediate improvements across both operations and visitor experience.
Plate read accuracy increased significantly, removing common failure points at entry and exit. Vehicles now move through the site faster, reducing congestion — particularly during peak periods and events.
Visitors benefit from flexible, self-service payment options, while staff no longer need to intervene in day-to-day parking issues.
At an operational level, the Museum now has full visibility over parking activity, occupancy, and revenue through a single platform.
Key Outcomes
- Significantly improved plate read accuracy and system reliability
- Faster entry and exit, reducing congestion on site
- Multiple payment options to suit different visitor preferences
- Reduced manual intervention required from staff
- Real-time visibility across parking operations
Deployment Snapshot
- 4 AI LPR cameras installed
- Fully automated entry and exit across underground parking
- App, QR, and kiosk payments supported
- Centralised control via the Inugo Management Portal;
“The upgraded system significantly improved our visitor experience and gave us the tools to manage parking effectively from one platform”
