'autovalet' is a compound formed in modern English from 'auto-' (from Greek 'autos' meaning 'self') and 'valet' (from French 'valet', an attendant or servant).

'valet' entered English via Old French 'valet' (servant, attendant) and Middle English, while the prefix 'auto-' comes from Greek 'autos' ('self'); these elements were combined in contemporary English to form the compound 'autovalet'.

The components originally meant 'self' and 'servant/attendant'; combined in modern usage they denote a 'self-operating attendant' for vehicles (i.e., automated parking technology or service).