This photo provided by the Seoul Metropolitan Government shows an automatic charging robot for electric vehicle.
SEOUL, June 14 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul Metropolitan Government said Tuesday it will conduct South Korea’s inaugural demonstration of an unmanned robot charging system, capable of charging electric vehicles (EVs) without direct contact.
Currently, the majority of EV charging systems utilize a plug-in mechanism, which necessitates users to directly connect a cable to their vehicles.
Due to the growing number of rapid charging stations, the charging cables have become thicker and heavier, posing challenges for individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
In response to this issue, Seoul will install a robot charger at a parking lot near Sinbanghwa Station on Line 9, capable of simultaneously charging three cars.
The charger will be operational for a two-year trial period starting in September.
The robot charger is user-friendly. To utilize it, users need to park their cars in the designated charging lot and open the car’s charging plug. The robot arm will then autonomously locate the plug and initiate the charging process.
Once the charging is complete, the robot arm will return to its original position.
The robot arm incorporates a light detection and ranging (LiDAR) sensor, which employs laser signals to identify its surroundings, and a 3D vision system that detects, tracks, and analyzes objects in a three-dimensional space.
The charger also features a movable rail, enabling a single robot arm to charge up to three cars simultaneously. It is possible to add additional chargers in the future.
The robot charger will operate on a membership system, giving priority to individuals with disabilities, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
City officials will analyze users’ charging patterns and satisfaction levels to enhance the overall charging experience and gradually expand the service’s scope.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
