Volkswagen is looking to support electric car drivers of the future with a new concept to charge electric vehicles that involves an autonomous robot. The system is essentially a charging station on wheels that has the potential to remove the need for designated parking spots specifically for EVs.
The vision for this new way to charge electric cars involves using an app to activate a robot, which is capable of making its own way to where a motorist has parked their vehicle. The autonomous robot moves a "battery wagon" to the parking spot and returns to its dock, knowing precisely how much electricity a driver needs to replenish their car battery and continue on their journey. Once plugged in the battery wagons are capable of quickly charging up an electric vehicle.
Car-Charging Robots
Volkswagen's Robots Autonomously Charge Electric Vehicles
Trend Themes
1. Autonomous Charging - The use of autonomous robots to charge electric vehicles presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the electric charging infrastructure.
2. Mobile Charging Stations - Mobile charging stations that can autonomously navigate to parked vehicles provide a disruptive innovation opportunity for the electric vehicle industry.
3. Personalized Charging - The concept of using an app to activate a robot that brings the right amount of electricity to each parked electric vehicle presents a disruptive innovation opportunity for personalized charging experiences.
Industry Implications
1. Electric Vehicle Infrastructure - The use of autonomous charging robots can revolutionize the electric vehicle infrastructure by eliminating the need for dedicated parking spots for charging.
2. Robotics and Automation - The development and implementation of autonomous charging robots create disruptive innovation opportunities within the robotics and automation industry.
3. Mobile Technology and Apps - The integration of mobile technology and apps in the charging process of electric vehicles offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the mobile technology industry.