Electric charging infrastructure isn’t as robust as the refueling infrastructure for internal combustion vehicles. That’s simply a fact. But as EV adoption grows, companies are looking at new and innovative ways to improve that situation.
Volkswagen Group Components’ Mobile Charging Robot, not to be confused with real robot Bozi Tatarevic, can move around a car park or parking structure, open the charging door on an electric vehicle, plug in, and recharge the vehicle.
“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,” explains Thomas Schmall, CEO of Volkswagen Group Components.
The cute little robots dock in the parking structure and await to be summoned to recharge a vehicle. If necessary, it can grab an additional movable battery pack for some extra juice.
While still a concept at this point, something like this would definitely help the parking situation for electric vehicles. Right now, many parking garages have a charging plug that is blocked by a non-EV. Or, the EV in the spot is done charging.
If the driver could park in any spot in the garage, the robot can find the car and recharge it. Then, when it’s done, it can move on to the next vehicle.
This would be more efficient for both charging and parking, allowing more vehicles to charge in one garage without having to have a dedicated parking space.
Right now it’s only a concept, but it makes a lot of sense and seems quite feasible in the near future.
