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Volkswagen has debuted the next step in charging practicality for electric cars with mobile autonomous charging robots, allowing every parking space to become a charging point.

 

Controlled via an app or V2X communication, the mobile robot is able to make its way to the vehicle that needs charging and communicate with it to be able to open the charging socket flap, connect the plug to charge and even decouple.

 

The robot will use a trailer, known as a battery wagon, with a mobile energy storage device to actually charge the vehicle to allow it to service multiple vehicle’s needs. Once charging is complete the robot will collect the battery wagon and return it to the charging station.

 

When fully charged the prototype battery wagon is equipped with roughly 25kWh each and the robot can move several battery wagons at a time.

 

Autonomy of the robot is achieved via a system of cameras, laser scanners and ultrasonic sensors which allow the robot to not only move around freely but also recognise and react to obstacles. Several robots can also be deployed simultaneously depending on the area available.

 

“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 we bring 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”, summarises Mark Möller, Head of Development at Volkswagen Group Components.

 

“Even the well-known problem of a charging station being blocked by another vehicle will no longer exist with our concept. You simply choose any parking space as usual. You can leave the rest to our electronic helper,” Möller continues.

 

A possible date for a market launch of the charging robot is yet to be set.