A mobile robot that can automatically charge electric cars, and reduce the need to build multiple charging points has been unveiled by Volkswagen.
The German company revealed the robot last year as a concept, but now appear to be pushing ahead with a robot that transports charging stations around a car park and removes them when fully charged.
VW have now showcased the prototype and say they are placing as much research and development onto charging infrastructures as they are building EVs.
“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,” said Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components. The company have been working on a solution to Car-to-X communication, which allows the robots to talk to the vehicles, which in turn can facilitate the autonomous element.
“Establishing a charging infrastructure is a fundamental prerequisite for this. But it needs to be demand-led and efficient,” continues Schmall. “Our developments do not just focus on customers’ needs and the technical prerequisites of electric vehicles. They also consider the economical possibilities they offer potential partners.”
It’s thought that the robots could become popular with large car park companies as they effectively turn every parking spot into an electric charging point.