Hyundai’s Automatic Robot Charger Powers Up EVs Without Drivers’ Help

Soon, drivers will no longer need to get out of their cars to charge electric vehicles (EVs), as Hyundai Motor Group recently unveiled its automatic charging robot (ACR) that will help drivers power up without having to lift a finger.

The one-arm robot, which appears “deceptively simple” at first, works by communicating directly with the EV, allowing it to determine the parking location of the car, the shape of its charging port, and even the weather.

From there, the technology manages to open the vehicle’s charging port and correctly plug in the charger, all thanks to a 3D camera-based artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation control technology designed by the automaker.

Furthermore, Hyundai engineers constructed a bespoke outdoor EV charging station to see how well it’d work in varying conditions. Turns out, the ACR earned a waterproof and dustproof grade of IP65 and can perform even in extreme weather.

“The ACR will help to make EV charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments. It will also improve accessibility, particularly for people with mobility barriers,” explained the Head of Robotics Dong Jin Hyun.

“We will continue developing the ACR for increased safety and more convenience, so that all EV customers can soon benefit from using it at charging stations,” he added.

[via Inside EVs and US News, images via Hyundai Motor Group]