Hyundai unveils automatic charging robot for electric vehicles

The new robotic electric vehicle auto-charger can connect and charge electric vehicles without any driver assistance.

Called the Automatic Charging Robot (ACR), this machine has a single arm that identifies the precise location and angle of the vehicle's charging port using a camera. The robot then connects the charger and begins charging, and once charging is complete, it retracts the charger and closes the charging port on the car.

The ACR relies on an algorithm developed by Hyundai's Robotics Lab, which applies 3D-camera-based AI technology to robots. The ACR is capable of operating in "extreme environments," and to ensure that it is able to operate in real-world outdoor conditions, the lab built a bespoke outdoor charging station at its R&D center and tested and improved it for operation in various conditions. The ACR is also waterproof and dust-proof.

Hyundai's ACR is designed to help make EV charging more convenient, especially in dark environments, and to improve accessibility for people with mobility barriers. The ACR is also designed to improve overall system efficiency by combining the ACR with autonomous parking control systems to "improve utilization by sequentially charging several parked vehicles."

While the ACR is not yet ready for deployment, Hyundai will showcase the system at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, which begins on March 30th. Hyundai plans to continue developing the ACR for increased safety and convenience so that all EV customers can soon benefit from using it at charging stations.