WATCH: Hyundai develops automatic charging robot for EVs

MANILA: Hyundai Motor Group has developed an automatic charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles.

The ACR for electric vehicles is a one-arm robot that can plug a cable into a charging port on an electric vehicle and then remove it once charging is done. In July 2022, Hyundai Motor Group debuted a CGI version, which is followed up by a new video of the actual robot in action.

The video features the Hyundai Ioniq 6 parking itself in an electric vehicle charging bay. Once the vehicle has stopped, the ACR uses a camera installed inside to determine the precise location and angle in order to open the charging port.

The charging session is then initiated when the robot picks up the charger and secures it to the vehicle's charging port. Once charging has completed, the robot takes out the charger, puts it back in its place, and closes the charging port cover.

“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, as charging cables become thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging. 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,” Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Lab Head Dong Jin Hyun stated.

The cutting-edge robot technology of the Hyundai Motor Group is represented by the ACR, which at first would seem to be deceptively simple. While creating the ACR, the Hyundai Motor Group Robotics Lab took into account a variety of factors, including the vehicle's parking location, the charging port's shape, the weather, possible constraints, and the charging cable's weight.

A software technology that can simultaneously calculate these factors is necessary for a robot to securely connect a charger to the charging port. For this purpose, Hyundai Motor Group has created an algorithm that enables robots to precisely handle heavy chargers by using 3D camera-based artificial intelligence (AI) technology and next-generation control technology.

Considering that the majority of electric vehicle chargers are placed outdoors without cover, Hyundai engineers developed a bespoke outdoor electric vehicle charging station at its research and development center and tested performance under various circumstances. The ACR has an IP65 waterproof and dustproof grade, and its performance is significantly enhanced to allow for reliable operation even in extreme conditions. The engineers have also added a safety pole with a built-in laser sensor around the robot to help it detect fixed and moving obstructions to help prevent accidents.

Hyundai Motor Group expects that ACRs will greatly improve electric vehicle charging convenience and if used in the future in combination with autonomous parking control systems, can maximize utilization by sequentially charging a number of parked vehicles.

The ACR will be exhibited at Hyundai Motor's booth at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, which will be held from March 31 to April 9.

Watch the video of the ACR showcasing its capabilities here.

Photos from Hyundai Motor Group

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