https://www.iotworldtoday.com/wp-content/themes/ioti_child/assets/images/logo/IoTWorldToday-mobile-logo.png
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • Roundups
  • Strategy
  • Special Reports
  • Business Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Featured Vendors
  • Other Content
    • Back
    • Q&As
    • Case Studies
    • Features
    • How-to
    • Opinion
    • Podcasts
    • Strategic Partners
    • Latest videos
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Submissions
  • Events
    • Back
    • IoT World Expo Austin
Iot World Today
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • News
    • Back
    • Roundups
  • Strategy
  • Special Reports
  • Business Resources
    • Back
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • Industry Perspectives
    • Featured Vendors
  • Other Content
    • Back
    • Q&As
    • Case Studies
    • Features
    • How-to
    • Opinion
    • Podcasts
    • Strategic Partners
    • Latest videos
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Contact
    • Advertise
    • Editorial Submissions
  • Events
    • Back
    • IoT World Expo Austin
  • newsletter
  • IIoT
  • Cities
  • Energy
  • Homes/Buildings
  • Transportation/Logistics
  • Connected Health Care
  • Retail
  • AI
  • Metaverse
  • Development
  • Security
ioti.com

Supply Chain, Transportation & Logistics


Ford

Image shows Ford's robotic charging station

Ford Testing Robotic Electric Car Charger

The robotic tech is necessary to address concerns from disabled drivers
  • Written by Graham Hope
  • 26th July 2022

Ford has turned to robotics to help disabled drivers or those with reduced mobility to charge their electric vehicles.

The automotive giant is trialing a prototype robot charging station that drivers can operate via an app on their smartphone from the comfort of their vehicle.

And the station, which features an extendable, self-operated “arm,” is currently being tested as part of a research project that aims to deliver hands-free charging solutions for electric vehicles, and fully automatic charging for autonomous vehicles.

The device was made by Dortmund University in Germany and heavily tested in the lab, before being assessed in real-life scenarios. Operation is straightforward – once activated, a cover slides open and the arm extends towards the vehicle’s charging inlet, guided by a tiny camera. 

During charging, the status can be monitored via the FordPass app and once complete, the arm simply retracts into its normal position.

According to Ford, development of the robotic tech is necessary to address concerns among disabled drivers about charging. A survey by the U.K.’s Research Institute for Disabled Consumers in 2021 found that 61% would consider buying an EV if charging was made more accessible.

In the future, Ford envisions installing robotic charging stations at disabled parking spaces, in car parks and at private homes, or even being used for faster and more efficient charging of company fleets. Looking even further ahead, there is potential for the process to become fully automated, with minimal involvement from the driver. A vehicle could simply be sent to the robotic charger, with the infrastructure ensuring it reaches its destination – and returns from it – autonomously.

The company is even looking at how robotic charging could be incorporated into automated valet parking, which it has demonstrated in the past, including in Detroit in 2020.

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

Angela Aben, who works in employee communications at Ford of Europe, uses a power-assisted wheelchair and said she had to stop filling up her car herself years ago because it became too strenuous.

“My husband does it for me,” Aben said. “The introduction of a robot charging station would offer me a much greater level of independence.”

Tags: robotics Connected cars Ford robotic electric car charger FordPass AI Supply Chain, Transportation & Logistics News

Related Content


  • Self-Driving Truck Service Expands to Florida
    Kodiak Robotics has deployed a mapping solution to bring new routes for its AVs online
  • GM Losing $5M a Day on Self-Driving Car Project
    Rising labor costs and operational setbacks are somewhat to blame
  • Dedrone
    Airspace Security-as-a-Service Platform Raises $30M
    Dedrone’s new funding will go toward second California office, enhancing drone-protection offering
  • Merlin Labs recently contracted with the U.S. Air Force to provide autonomy to the service’s C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft
    Autonomous-Flight Developer Inks Eight-Figure Air Force Contract
    Merlin Labs also closes $105 million series B funding round

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your IoT World Today account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Latest News

  • Image shows Nasa's and GM's Robonaut
    NASA, GM Team to Robot for Deep Sea, Space Missions
  • Self-Driving Shuttle Coming to Minnesota
  • Video Shows Tesla’s Self-Driving Tech Puts Children in Danger
  • Robot Dogs Tested at Cape Canaveral

Roundups

View all

IoT Deals & Partnerships Roundup: Nokia, Accenture and More

29th July 2022

IoT Deals & Partnerships Roundup: Nokia, SoftBank, Microsoft and More

15th July 2022

IoT Product Roundup: Nokia, Energous, Dashbot and More

6th July 2022

White Papers

View all

The Role of Manufacturing Technology in Continuous Improvement Ebook

6th April 2022

IIoT Platform Trends for Manufacturing in 2022

6th April 2022

Events

View all

IoT World Expo Austin

2nd November 2022 - 3rd November 2022

Latest Videos

View all
Image shows a road within the Curiosity Lab at Peachtree Corners

Brandon Branham, Peachtree Corners, on Smart Cities

Peachtree Corners CTO and assistant city manager chats with IoT World Today’s Chuck Martin about what’s happening at Curiosity Labs

Image shows a Beep electric autonomous shuttle

Joe Moye, Beep, on Self-Driving Shuttles

Beep’s CEO chatted with IoT World Today’s Chuck Martin about the deployment of the company’s electric autonomous shuttles

E-books

View all

How Remote Access Helps Enterprises Improve IT Service and Employee Satisfaction

12th January 2022

An Integrated Approach to IoT Security

6th November 2020

Webinars

View all

Is MQTT becoming the de facto standard of Industry 4.0? The impact of IoT on industrial automation protocols

18th August 2022

Building trust for a connected world

25th August 2022

Is MQTT becoming the de facto standard of Industry 4.0? The impact of IoT on industrial automation protocols

18th August 2022

Special Reports

View all

Security: The Hidden Risks of Connected Devices

11th August 2022

Omdia’s Smart Home Market Dynamics Report

7th January 2022

Cybersecurity Protection Increasingly Depends on Machine Learning

28th October 2020

Twitter

IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

📣 Join us on August 18th to explore how MQTT has been helping system integrators to overcome the challenges of hybr… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

13th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Black Hat 2022: Sophisticated Cybercriminals, Increased Ransoms dlvr.it/SWZS4m https://t.co/fBlVhm5hO1

13th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Black Hat 2022: Adapting to the Growing Cyberthreat Landscape dlvr.it/SWZRKm https://t.co/OFbXxX9UWT

13th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

NASA, GM Team to Robot for Deep Sea, Space Missions dlvr.it/SWZKPD https://t.co/5luhaGI67c

13th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

📣 NEW WEBINAR Join us on August 25th to learn how @IntertrustTech data orchestration technology is enabling busines… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Robomart, Unilever Deploys On-Demand, Automated Ice Cream Shops in LA dlvr.it/SWWjLW https://t.co/B8LmYfs8BU

12th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Self-Driving Shuttle Coming to Minnesota dlvr.it/SWWRYY https://t.co/1tGJfAnYF1

12th August 2022
IoTWorldToday, IoTWorldSeries

Have you seen the jam-packed agenda for #IoTWorld and the #AISummit Austin? 🤠 Stay ahead of the curve with cuttin… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

12th August 2022

Newsletter

Sign up for IoT World Today newsletters: vertical industry coverage on Tuesdays and horizontal tech coverage on Thursdays.

Special Reports

Our Special Reports take an in-depth look at key topics within the IoT space. Download our latest reports.

Business Resources

Find the latest white papers and other resources from selected vendors.

Media Kit and Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • IoT World Series
  • Channel Futures
  • RISC-V
  • Dark Reading
  • ITPro Today
  • Web Hosting Talk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Login/Register

FOLLOW IoT World Today ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X