The new robot concept can find and charge a parked car completely autonomously
Volkswagen has revealed a new electric car charging concept consisting of autonomous charging robots that can bring an energy storage device to an electric car, charge it and return to its base without any human intervention.
The concept is designed for use in large car parks, such as those in airports or shopping centres. It opens up the possibility of turning every car park into a charging point without the need for a vast infrastructure network.
How the battery charger robot works
Owners are expected to order a charging session using an app or their car's on-board infotainment system. The robot comes into action when the car is stationary, while the owner goes about his business.
The robot takes the battery with it, connects it to the car's charging port and leaves it in place, walking away to set up other charging sessions.
Once charging is complete, the robot returns, unplugs the charging cable, and returns the depleted battery wagon to a central location, where it is recharged, ready for another use. The owner is informed via the app that his car has been charged.
Each battery wagon is expected to have a capacity of approximately 25kWh and each robot can carry several with it.
Battery charging robots can charge aelectric car up to 50 kW using fast DC charging, they are equipped with ultrasound scanners, lasers and cameras to help them navigate the parking lot.
No more complex infrastructures are needed to build electric charging points
Commenting on the concept Mark Moller, head of development for Volkswagen Group Components, said:“The mobile charging robot will spark a revolution when it comes to charging in different car parks, such as multi-storey car parks, car parks and underground car parks, because we bring the charging infrastructure to the car and not vice versa”.
In summary: potentially all car parks become electric charging points. It is a visionary prototype, which can be turned into reality quite quickly.
“This approach has enormous economic potential. Construction work as well as costs for assembling the charging infrastructure can be reduced considerably by the use of charging robots.”
Volkswagen has not indicated a possible date for the market introduction of the charging robot concept. During the presentation of its next electric model, the Volkswagen ID3, the German company said it plans to install 36.000 charging points across Europe in the next few years.
