Hyundai Motor Group unveils new automatic charging robot for electric vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group, one of the world’s leading automotive companies, has announced the development of an automatic charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles. The ACR is a one-arm robot that can plug a cable into an EV’s charging port and remove it again once charging is complete.

The Group released a new video showcasing the ACR’s capabilities, which includes the robot communicating with the vehicle to open the charging port and calculating the exact location and angle through a camera mounted inside. The ACR then picks up the charger and fastens it to the vehicle’s charging port, starting the charging session. Once charging is complete, the ACR removes the charger, returns it to its rightful place, and closes the cover of the vehicle’s charging port.

This new technology is expected to be a game-changer in the EV industry, as it simplifies the charging process and eliminates the need for human intervention. The Hyundai automatic charging robot is especially beneficial for customers who are physically challenged or have difficulty plugging in the charging cable themselves.

The Group has been investing heavily in EV technology in recent years, and the development of the ACR is another example of its commitment to innovation. The ACR is currently being tested at a Hyundai Motor Group facility in South Korea, and the company plans to roll out the technology globally in the near future.

Despite its seemingly simple design, the ACR is actually a testament to Hyundai Motor Group’s advanced robotics technology. The Group’s Robotics Lab took into account various factors in the development of the ACR, including the vehicle’s parking location, the shape of the charging port, weather conditions, potential obstacles, and the weight of the charging cable.

In order for the robot to securely attach the charger to the charging port, software technology that can calculate multiple variables simultaneously is required. To address this challenge, the Group developed an algorithm that utilizes 3D camera-based AI technology and next-generation control technology, enabling the robot to handle heavy chargers with precision.

Recognizing that most EV chargers are installed outdoors without cover, the Group’s engineers designed a custom outdoor charging station at their R&D center to evaluate the ACR’s performance under various conditions. As a result, the Hyundai automatic charging robot has achieved a waterproof and dustproof rating of IP651, ensuring stable operation even in extreme environments. Additionally, a safety pole with a built-in laser sensor has been installed around the robot to detect stationary and moving obstacles, preventing potential accidents.

Hyundai Motor Group anticipates that automatic charging robots will greatly enhance the convenience of EV charging. The Group also envisions that combining the ACR with autonomous parking control systems in the future could potentially boost efficiency by sequentially charging multiple parked vehicles.

The automatic charging robot was recently unveiled and will be showcased at Hyundai Motor’s exhibition booth during the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, which will take place from March 31 to April 9 at KINTEX in Ilsan-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Attendees will have the opportunity to witness the ACR’s advanced capabilities firsthand and experience how it can revolutionize the EV charging process.

Also Read: Polestar 3 electric SUV launched in China.

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