Volkswagen presents its mobile charging robot prototypes
As part of the company’s visionary charging concepts and its hopes to expand its charging infrastructure in the next five years, Volkswagen has provided a glimpse of its latest mobile charging robot prototypes.
The ambitions for the prototypes is to provide fully autonomous charging in restricted parking areas for vehicles. “A ubiquitous charging infrastructure is and remains a key factor in the success of electric mobility. Our charging robot is just one of several approaches, but is undoubtedly one of the most visionary,” commented Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Components’ CEO.
The latest information on the mobile charging robot prototypes
Started via an app or Car-to-X communications, the charging robot is fully autonomous, independently steering the vehicles to be charged. “ from opening the charging socket flap to connecting the plug and decoupling it, the entire charging process takes place without any human involvement whatsoever,” stated Volkswagen.
In order to charge multiple vehicles at a time, the robot moves what is being described as a ‘mobile energy storage unit’ to the vehicles, in order to connect them up and begin charging the electric vehicle battery.
Once the service is completed the robot collects the ‘mobile energy storage unit to take back to the central charging station.
“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,” added Schmall.
With plans to launch the flexible and quick charging station in early 2021, Volkswagen is currently working on a complete DC charging family.
For several weeks the company has been trialling the DC wallbox at different German production sites, and has successfully reached prototype status, with plans to further develop.
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