DriveIn

DriveIn is a term used to describe venues and services designed for customers who remain inside their vehicles. It is closely associated with drive-in theaters but the concept has been extended to various industries, including dining, banking, healthcare, and events. The approach emphasizes vehicle-based service, minimal physical contact, and a spatial arrangement that accommodates parking aligned with service points or screens.

Drive-in theaters originated in the United States in the early 20th century and rose to popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, featuring screenings on large outdoor projection screens with audio delivered through car radios or speaker boxes. In modern forms, they may use digital projection, high-efficiency sound, and mobile apps for booking and payment.

Beyond films, drive-in concepts apply to restaurants where customers order from a window and are served in their cars, banks or clinics that dispense services at a curbside window, or pop-up events and concerts conducted in parking lots. Some venues offer "drive-in" experiences such as concerts, gaming, or art installations, leveraging large screens and broadcast audio to reach audiences.

Benefits include convenience, reduced indoors crowding, and flexibility; challenges involve weather dependence, noise, traffic, light pollution, and enforcement of safety and accessibility standards.

See also: Drive-in theater, drive-through service, curbside pickup.