Hyundai Motor Group latest foray into human-free EV charging involves its Automatic Charging Robot, or ACR for short, which it will be showcasing at the upcoming Seoul Mobility Show. By utilizing lasers, cameras and artificial intelligence, the ACR simplifies the process of loading and unloading EV batteries from the vehicle.
The ACR has been designed to work in all weather conditions and settings, with on-board sensors and cameras assessing the situation to ensure the safety of the operator and the vehicle. Rather than the heavy and cumbersome weight of cables to plug in, the ACR is equipped with a range of detachable plugs, including J1772/CCS, and can pick up the appropriate charging cable to plug into the EV automatically. When finished, the robot arm retreats and the EV can move away. Wireless EV charging, as developed by WiTricity, is also being researched to simplify the EV loading and charging process without the need for human intervention.
Tesla, too, showcased a video back in 2015 of a “snake” that could plug a charging cable into an EV automatically. This month, Hyundai Motor Group and Kia will debut the latest of these automated charging technologies at the Seoul Mobility Show. The ACRs being put on display at the show can be put to commercial use in the near future, the company says.
The invention of the ACR could potentially make EV charging simpler, faster and more accessible for people with mobility issues. Dong Jin Hyun, the head of HMG’s Robotics Lab, says the ACR will become particularly handy for people who may otherwise have difficulty fumbling their way through a charging process due to the ever-increasing thickness and weight of charging cables.
In short, Hyundai and Kia have developed a robot for hands-free EV charging that can open the EV charging port door, locate the outlet to plug in the charging cable and make it easier for people with mobility issues to charge their EV. In the future, autonomous EV charging may become the norm, and Hyundai Motor Group’s ACR is one step in that direction.
