volkswagen presents mobile charging robots that will revolutionize the future of parking lots

volkswagen group components presents a visionary concept for the future of electric parking lots with the release of mobile charging robots that promises to charge electric vehicles automatically. the self-driving prototype, fitted with cameras, laser scanners and ultrasonic sensors, will be able to move freely in the parking lot and locate electric vehicles that are in need of charging. connected to it’s app called V2X communication, the charging robot will be able to deliver several 25kWh battery wagons and charge multiple vehicles at the same time.

‘it’s a visionary prototype, which can be made into reality quite quickly, if the general conditions are right.’ comments mark möller, head of development at volkswagen group components.

all images by volkswagen

‘the mobile charging robot will spark a revolution when it comes to charging in different parking facilities, such as multistorey car parks, parking spaces and underground car parks because we bring the charging infrastructure to the car and not the other way around.’ continues möller. ‘with this, we are making almost every car park electric, without any complex individual infrastructural measures.’

the entire charging process occurs without any human interaction. after locating a vehicle in need of charging, the volkswagen mobile robot brings a trailer in the form of a mobile energy storage device, called battery wagons, to the vehicle and connects them; it then uses this energy storage device to charge the battery of the electric vehicle. when charging is complete, the robot will return to collect the battery wagon and bring it it back to the charging station.

although there is not a set date for the market launch yet, volkswagen group components and it’s partners are preparing to install a total of 360,000 charging points throughout europe by 2025. while quick charging stations and DC wall boxes are already active in the market, volkswagen looks to continue developing on it’s innovative customer-oriented intelligence in it’s robot.