This isn’t the first time we’re hearing about autonomous charging robots. VW actually unveiled their take on these droids roughly a year ago, with China’s AIWAYS also looking to develop its own car charging robot.
VW’s charging robot will be tasked with offering fully autonomous charging to EVs in restricted parking areas such as underground garages.
“A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is, and remains, a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” VW Group Components CEO, Thomas Schmall, stated.
Read Also: Meet CARL, Your Autonomous Car Charging Robot Butler
The robot can be powered up via an app or using Car-to-X communication and will independently steer itself towards the vehicle. The entire process takes place completely without human intervention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk_j1m7ck0c
In order to charge multiple vehicles at the same time, the robot will connect a mobile energy storage unit to the vehicle, repeating this process several times. Once charging is completed, it will independently collect the mobile energy storage unit and steer it back to the central charging station.
“Setting up an efficient charging infrastructure for the future is a central task that challenges the entire sector,” added Schmall. “We are developing solutions to help avoid costly stand-alone measures. The mobile charging robot and our flexible quick-charging station are just two of those solutions.”
While the mobile charging robot is just now entering its prototype testing phase, VW will launch its flexible quick-charging station system early next year.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMC1H__xL3Y
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