Rocsys, a Dutch startup, is targeting the intersection of electrification and automation in America’s logistics sector. The company has developed a robotic arm that can transform any electric vehicle (EV) charger into an autonomous charger, specifically aimed at ports and yards where vehicle uptime is crucial and manual intervention is limited.
According to Crijn Bouman, CEO and co-founder of Rocsys, their solution is essential in ports as truck drivers often face regulations preventing them from carrying out the charging process. By automating the charging process, fleets can be electrified while ensuring regulatory compliance and reducing human exposure to high-voltage equipment.
Rocsys has already formed partnerships with electric forklift company Hyster, industrial equipment supplier Taylor Machine Works, and port operator SSA Marine. In addition, the startup claims to be working on a commercial partnership with one of the largest Big Box retailers in North America.
However, Rocsys is not limiting its focus to heavy-duty industrial logistics. The company recently closed a $36 million Series A funding round, which will help build out its North American division and support research and development in the automotive sector. This includes both mainstream consumer vehicles and self-driving robotaxi fleets.
Rocsys aims to collaborate with automakers planning to introduce automated valet functionality, as they believe automated EV charging will complement this feature. The company intends to set up a dedicated automotive team to support the 2026-2027 wave of vehicles that will support robotic charging.
As part of the charging consortium ROCIN-ECO, Rocsys is working with Audi, Porsche, BMW, Ford, and Mercedes-Benz to develop interoperable and standardized robotic fast-charging infrastructure across European transportation routes.
In the future, Rocsys sees potential in servicing fleets of robotaxis and self-driving delivery vehicles. The company is already working with American autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to establish charging hubs for their AV fleets.
One of Rocsys’s key selling points is its solution’s ability to be retrofitted onto any existing or future charger, regardless of the charging standard. The business model involves a one-time purchase of the robotic equipment and a recurring services fee.
The cost of one robot currently ranges from $20,000 to $30,000, with an annual fee of around $2,000. However, the next-generation model is expected to be cheaper at approximately 60% of the current price and with a more compact form factor. By 2027, Rocsys aims to release a third-generation robot priced below $10,000 to coincide with the influx of cars with automated driving features.
SEB Greentech Venture Capital led Rocsys’s Series A funding round, along with participation from Graduate Entrepreneur, the European Investment Bank, and returning investor Forward.One.
