WATCH: Ford robot charger will make EV charging convenient for disabled drivers

MANILA: Ford has created a prototype robot charging station that customers may operate from inside their electric vehicle using a smartphone. This technology allows disabled drivers to stay inside the vehicle while charging or leave their vehicle while the robot takes care of everything.

Ease of charging is a leading factor for disabled drivers when choosing an electric vehicle. In an attempt to develop hands-free charging solutions for electric vehicles and fully automatic charging for autonomous vehicles, Ford is performing tests on the robot charging station.

“Ford is committed to ensuring freedom of movement and right now, refueling or charging your vehicle can be a major problem for some drivers. The robot charging station could be an added convenience for some people but absolutely essential for others,” Ford of Europe Research and Innovation Center Research Engineer Birger Fricke stated.

Ford researchers are currently putting the robot charging station to the test in real-life scenarios following early lab testing. When activated, the station cover swings and the charging arm extends toward the inlet with the help of a small camera. During the trial, drivers could check the charge status using the FordPass app. The arm retracts back into place after charging.

The robot charging station, designed by Dortmund University in Germany, may be installed at private homes, parking lots, and disabled parking spaces in the future. Additional features could include fast fleet charging. The technology could potentially enable more powerful vehicle charging in a shorter time.

In the future, the process could be fully automated with minimal to no driver involvement. The driver would just have to send it to the charging station and the infrastructure would verify that the vehicle gets to and returns from its destination autonomously.

This research project reinforces Ford's commitment to electrification. A subsequent project with charging network provider Ionity aims to further enhance the robot charging station.

Ford is also looking into the integration of robot charging solutions in Automated Valet Parking, as seen at the IAA in Munich, Germany, last year.

With Ford's rapidly growing Blue Oval Charging Network, customers now have access to a network of over 300,000 chargers across Europe. Ford's Sync 4 connectivity and entertainment system includes a touchscreen that can be used to access Ford Charge Assist, which helps drivers in locating charging stations and paying for charging.

Ford Pro Charging also offers bespoke charging solutions for commercial vehicle users. These include charging equipment, ongoing maintenance, and management software to help reduce time-consuming paperwork and charge schedule planning.

Ford has signed a petition with 27 other companies demanding that all new cars and vans sold in Europe from 2035 be zero emission. Ford also urged that charging stations should be built at a rate that will keep up with the pace of increase in electric vehicle sales.

Ford believes that governments, European Union institutions, the entire auto industry, energy providers, local authorities, and consumers must work together as one in order to accelerate the establishment of a comprehensive, easily accessible, and efficient charging infrastructure at home, at work, and in public places.

Watch the test conducted by Ford for the robot charging station here.

Photos from Ford

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