It is the oldest dilemma of travelling between motorhome parking spots: turning up spontaneously means freedom, but what if the parking spot is taken after 365 hairpin bends? Reserving would be the answer, but with low overnight prices the admin simply was not worth it for operators. This is exactly the gap Pitch Control closes: the first fully autonomous reservation system for motorhome parking spots in Europe, developed by Parkn'Sleep together with system manufacturer Camigo.
The best of both worlds
The principle: the parking spots can still be reached spontaneously around the clock, but if you want to be sure of your spot, you simply reserve it in the app, on the road or weeks in advance. The reservation runs «peer to peer» directly between the app and the post; the host has zero effort. On site, the display shows arriving guests the licence plate and travel dates (up to five days before arrival), so it is clear at a glance who the parking spot belongs to and nobody parks in the wrong bay.
Tried and tested in Arosa, Brigels and Aesch
The system was tested for a whole summer in three municipalities, with a thoroughly positive result: the reservation option brought more booked nights than the standard system, without any extra admin. In Brigels, the post has since replaced the phone enquiries that used to land at the hotel reception. And in Arosa it went so well that the parking spot capacity was doubled. Serge Rothenbühler from the municipality of Arosa sums up the ecological side effect: «Who drives 365 bends up the valley without knowing the parking spot will still be free when they arrive?»
The technology behind it
The post is truly self-sufficient: solar-powered, connected via SIM card and IoT, no power cable, no Wi-Fi, no fixed connection needed. It can be moved at any time (a planter filled with gravel is enough as a base), installation by the team is included in the price, and after about an hour the parking spot is ready for use.
Lidar sensors automatically detect arriving vehicles: regular guests receive a welcome message on arrival, and the system independently detects and records occupancy outside of reservations. The occupancy status (free/taken) appears live on Parkn'Sleep. One post covers two parking spots, optionally with two CEE sockets to supply the vehicles with power.
What it costs, and when it pays off
A Pitch Control post for two parking spots costs 1,290 francs, or 990 francs at the introductory price. Based on experience, with a mix of half reservations and half spontaneous arrivals, the cost per parking spot pays for itself after around 40 overnight stays, and that calculation does not even include the time saved on guest enquiries and phone calls.
📡 Do you run a parking spot or are you planning one? The system can be demonstrated on site on request. Get in touch at dany@parknsleep.app or lukas@parknsleep.app and benefit from the introductory price.
Adapted from the Parkn'Sleep company blog; prices and details as in the original article, current conditions on request.
