Volkswagen Group has designed a mobile charging robot that can autonomously navigate parking areas. It can also power up an Ev and make its way back to its outpost without the intervention of humans.
The charging robot prototype can be started via an app launched by the vehicle owner or car-to-x communication. Once the communication begins, the mobile charger turns on, two digital eyes open on the display, and it steers toward a vehicle.
The German automaker in an official statement said the mobile charger opens the charging socket flap as well as connects or disconnects the plug. It pointed out that the mobile charger is also able to move and then connect the vehicle to an energy storage unit. “Once the charging is complete, the robot collects the mobile energy storage unit and takes it back to a central charging station.” The entire charging process occurs without any human interaction. Volkswagen said the mobile charging robot doesn’t have a release date.
Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Components, in a statement said that setting up an efficient charging infrastructure for the future is a central task that challenges the entire sector. “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 these solutions,” he said.
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Mark Moller, Head of Development at Volkswagen Group Components, had said the mobile charging robot will spark a revolution when it comes to charging in different parking facilities such as multistorey car parks, parking spaces and underground car parks because the company brings the charging infrastructure to the car and not the other way around. “With this, we are making almost every car park electric, without any complex individual infrastructural measures,” he explained. “Its a visionary prototype, which can be made into reality quite quickly, if the general conditions are right.”
The prototype consists of a compact, self-driving robot as well as flexible and agile energy storage devices, also known as battery wagons. When fully charged, these are equipped with an energy content of around 25 kWh each. The robot, which can drive autonomously, is fitted with cameras, laser scanners and ultrasonic sensors.
