Charging an electric vehicle (EV) isn't the most fun and it can be a hassle. This doesn't help disabled or elderly drivers as well, which is why Ford took the matter into its own hands, and has begun trials on a new robot charging station that can be operated from the inside of your vehicle.
(Photo : STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)
A Ford sign is displayed at a car dealership in Falls Church, Virginia, on April 2, 2022.
How it Works
The driver will need to pull up at a specially designated station to initiate the charging process via the FordPass smartphone app. This will then open the car door, and a robot arm will emerge from the station and plug itself into the car using a small camera for accurate positioning.
There is also a version of a robot where it drops down from the ceiling of a parking garage to plug in. Once done, the arm retracts back into the charging station. You can watch the video here.
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The Progress
Ford said that the robot charger has already passed the initial lab testing phase and will now go through real-world trials, as reported by CNET. The setup will be used in disabled parking spots, parking lots, and private homes.
Moreover, the robot can also provide easier changing of large company fleets and charge cards more powerfully in less time than traditional chargers.
Ford envisions that the process will be fully automated in the future, wherein drivers will send the car to the charging station by itself.
The robot was in partnership with Dortmund University in Germany. Ford said that the project would be followed up by working with Ionity, a charging network that will further improve their system.
Additionally, the new technology can also be applied in combination with the automated valet parking that Ford also showed at the Munich Auto Show in 2021.
The growth in EVs is not only from car manufacturers but also from the building industries. This is because EVs can provide more for the society. For instance, a traditional car is used for transportation but with EVs, you can use renewable energy. Additionally, an electric vehicle gets better mileage in comparison to gas-powered vehicles.
Moreover, some people suffer from disabilities, which in some cases, are the causes why they can hardly operate a traditional car. The new technology can provide easier and faster access to charging stations to accommodate these drive-less users. It's still too early to tell if the technology is going to spread to the wider public, but it definitely shows that Ford is taking steps in the right direction.
In a bid to become a major player in the new automated technology, Ford has been investing a good sum in the future of the EVs.
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Written by April Fowell
