Hyundai develops robotic charging arm for EVs
The robot is designed to operate both indoors and outdoors, and is powered by Artificial Intelligence
Hyundai has developed an "automatic charging robot" (ACR) that can plug in your electric vehicle's charging cable for you.
The robot is designed to operate both indoors and outdoors, making the charging process simpler and more accessible.
Dong Jin Hyun, the Head of Robotics Lab at Hyundai Motor Group, stated that "the ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments."
He also noted that the technology will be particularly useful for people with mobility issues, as charging cables are becoming thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging.
According to the company, the charging robot is a one-arm device that uses 3D camera-based Artificial Intelligence technology to connect the cable to the vehicle's port. It then automatically removes the cable once the battery is fully charged, before closing the cap over the car’s charging port.
While the device is currently in its initial stages of development, Hyundai has expressed its commitment to continue improving the technology in the future.
Where charging stations have inadequate protection for its ACR against the elements, Hyundia tested it outside its R&D centre to assess its functionality under various outside conditions.
As a result, the automatic charging robot has been designed to be waterproof and dustproof, enabling it to operate efficiently in all environments, including stormy weather and deserts.
To help ensure the robot does not become a hazard to anyone in its vicinity, the robot also has a safety pole equipped with laser sensors, which alert passersby of the robot's operation.
The Automatic Charging Robot will be exhibited by Hyundai at the upcoming Seoul Mobility Show, scheduled to take place from March 31 to April 9, 2023.