Refueling a vehicle or charging an electric vehicle may seem simple to the average person. Still, it can be highly challenging for those who are physically limited, such as the elderly or the disabled.
Ford has developed a prototype of a robot charging station that can be operated from within the vehicle using a smartphone. The use of technology allows the driver to either wait inside the car while it charges or to leave it and let a robot take care of the charging process.
For drivers with limited mobility, how easy it is to charge an electric car has already become a deciding factor in their choice of car.
Ford's current research project is testing a robotic charging station. The goal is to find ways to charge electric cars without touching the plugs and make charging fully automatic for self-driving vehicles.
After the initial tests, the robot charging station is put through its paces in real-world scenarios. By using a miniature camera and a slidable cover, the charging station's robotic arm is pushed toward the charging hatch when the station is activated. The arm returns to its normal position after being charged. During the trial period, users of the FordPass app can keep tabs on their batteries' status.
The charging station's future locations are wide open, including parking lots, private residences, and handicapped parking spots. This charging station was developed at Germany's University of Dortmund. Devices that can quickly and efficiently charge the machinery businesses use are another potential use. In addition to making charging faster, the technology may also make charging more efficient, reducing the time it takes to charge.
Complete automation of the process is possible in the future. In this scenario, the driver would be required to do very little or no work during the charging process. It would be up to the driver to send the vehicle to the charging station, and the infrastructure would take care of the rest, making the trip and return trip completely hands-free.
This research project bolsters Ford's dedication to electrification. In a future project with the company that runs the charging network, IONITY, we hope to improve the robot charging station even more.
At last year's Munich Motor Show in Germany, Ford unveiled its plans for automated valet parking and other robotic charging solutions.
Fast-growing in popularity, the Blue Oval Charging Network connects Ford owners to over 300,000 charging stations across Europe. Using Ford Charge Assist, motorists can locate charging stations and make charging payments. Ford's SYNC 4 touchscreen infotainment system features the system.
Ford Pro Charging provides electric commercial vehicle owners with individualized charging solutions, such as charging equipment and software, that facilitate the scheduling of charging events and cut administrative burdens.
In a recent petition, Ford joined 27 other companies in demanding that by 2035, all new cars and vans in Europe be zero-emissions vehicles. The petition also called for targets to increase the EV charging stations in Europe at the same rate as the EV fleet.
The company says that to speed up the development of a charging infrastructure that is easy to use, accessible, and efficient in homes, workplaces, and public spaces, governments, European Union institutions, the entire automotive industry, energy suppliers, local governments, and consumers need to work together.
Because Ford cares deeply about people's ability to travel freely, they're working to solve the problem of finding convenient places to fill up or charge a car. Conversely, a robotic charging station may add convenience for some drivers while being necessary for others. " According to Birger Fricke, Research Engineer at Ford of Europe's Research and Innovation Center.
"After years of finding the process tedious, I finally gave up on refueling my vehicle on my own. My husband gladly takes on the task of My autonomy would be significantly expanded by a robotic charging station. " Angela Aben, a communications specialist at Ford of Europe who uses an electric wheelchair to get around, explains why such a device has changed her life.
