Volkswagen Develops A Mobile Charging Robot For An Electric Car

As the Volkswagen Group enters into a new phase in 2020 where electric cars will take precedesnce, the company is not holding back on bringing in future technology to charge these electric vehicles. One such effort will be seen in the form of a concept, where the company will use mobile robots to charge electric vehicles completely autonomously in future. Every parking space can become a charging point.

Volkswagen provides a glimpse into the future in which the search for charging stations for electric cars comes to an end. Volkswagen Group Components' mobile charging robot takes over this task - and drives to the electric car completely autonomously. After it is started via app or V2X communication, the mobile robot drives itself to the vehicle that needs charging and communicates with it. From opening the charging socket flap to connecting the plug to decoupling - the entire charging process occurs without any human interaction.

The mobile robot brings a trailer in the form of a mobile energy storage device to the vehicle and connects them; it then uses this energy storage device to charge the battery of the electric vehicle. The mobile energy storage device stays with the vehicle during the whole charging process. The robot, in the meantime, charges other electric vehicles. Once the charging service is complete, the robot collects the energy storage device and brings it back to the charging station.

The mobile robot brings a trailer in the form of a mobile energy storage device to the vehicle and connects them 

The prototype consists of a compact, self-driving robot as well as flexible and agile energy storage devices, also known as battery wagons. When fully charged, these are equipped with an energy content of around 25 kWh each. A charging robot can move several battery wagons at the same time. When called via app or V2X communication, it brings the energy storage device to the electric vehicle and connects them both autonomously. With its integrated charging electronics, the energy storage device allows for DC quick charging with up to 50 kW on the vehicle.

The robot, which can drive autonomously, is fitted with cameras, laser scanners and ultrasonic sensors. The combination of these systems not only allows the robot to carry out the charging process completely autonomously but also to move around freely in the parking area, to recognise possible obstacles and to react to these. Depending on the size of the parking area or the underground car park, several charging robots can be employed simultaneously so that several vehicles can be attended to. A possible date for the market launch of the charging robot has not been set yet.