Robots as 'pump attendants': TU Graz develops robot-controlled rapid charging system for e-vehicles

Researchers from TU Graz and their industry partners have unveiled a world first: the prototype of a robot-controlled, high-speed combined charging system (CCS) for electric vehicles. that enables series charging of cars in various parking positions.

This prototype of a robot-controlled, high-speed combined charging system enables series charging of cars in various parking positions.

Robot charging an electric car.

With the prototype of a robot-controlled, high-speed combined charging system for e-vehicles researchers from TU Graz and industry partners have unveiled a world first. © FTG - TU Graz

Global demand for electric vehicles is forecast to rise sharply: by 2025, the number of new vehicle registrations is expected to reach 25 million per year. This will require new technical solutions for charging infrastructure: charging should take place as quickly as possible and, as far as possible, without the driver’s involvement. Researchers at TU Graz’s Institute of Automotive Engineering have now developed an automated, conductive – in other words, cable-based – robotic system that for the first time allows for charging of different vehicles entering the charging space one after the other.

Read more about the comfort charging system which is designed for use with standard charging plugs (CCS) in the TU Graz News+Stories.