Ford trials robot charging station to aid disabled drivers

Ford has developed a prototype robot charging station that drivers operate via their smartphone from inside their electric vehicle.

For near of us, filling a motorcar with fuel or charging an electric vehicle is a uncomplicated task. Still, for disabled drivers, people with reduced mobility and older people information technology can be a significant challenge.

Ford'due south prototype engineering science could enable disabled drivers to stay in the automobile while charging or leave the car entirely while the robot does all the work.

Disabled drivers have already identified ease of charging as a cardinal buy consideration for electric vehicles. A recent survey in the UK showed that 61 per cent of disabled drivers would consider ownership an electric vehicle just if charging was made more attainable.

Ford is testing its robot charging station every bit office of a research project to develop hands-free charging solutions for electrical vehicles and fully automatic charging for autonomous vehicles.

Following initial lab testing, Ford researchers are now putting the robot charging station to the test in existent-life situations. Once activated, the station embrace slides open up and the charging arm extends towards the inlet with the aid of a tiny camera. For the trial, drivers were able to monitor the charge status via the FordPass app (already available for smartphones). After charging, the robotic arm retracts back into identify.

Ford Charging Robot Inline — Image credit: Ford

Angela Aben, who works in employee communications at Ford of Europe, and who uses a power-assisted wheelchair to gain more mobility and independence, said: "I stopped filling upwardly my car myself years ago, because information technology became very strenuous. My husband does it for me. The introduction of a robot charging station would offer me a much greater level of independence."

In futurity, the robot charging station, custom-fabricated by Dortmund University in Germany, could exist installed at disabled parking spaces, in auto parks or at private homes. Farther applications could include the fast and efficient charging of company electric automobile fleets. The technology could besides support more powerful charging to charge vehicles in a much shorter time.

Birger Fricke, inquiry engineer at the Research and Innovation Heart of Ford of Europe, said: "Ford is committed to ensuring freedom of movement and correct now refuelling or charging your vehicle can be a major problem for some drivers. The robot charging station could be an added convenience for some people, simply admittedly essential for others."

Looking alee, Ford envisages the process becoming fully automated, with minimal or no commuter involvement. The driver would simply send the vehicle to the charging station, with the appropriate infrastructure ensuring it reaches and returns from its destination apart. It is acknowledged that this will require significant evolution earlier it becomes a reality.

The robot charger research project is ane attribute of Ford's stated delivery to electrification. A follow-up project with the charging network provider Ionity will look to further ameliorate the robot charging station.

Ford is also conducting inquiry into robot charging solutions in combination with Automated Valet Parking, as demonstrated at IAA in Munich, Federal republic of germany, in 2021.

Ford's own 'Blue Oval Charging Network' provides customers with admission to a network of over 300,000 chargers across Europe. To assist drivers discover charging stations and pay for charging, Ford Charge Aid tin exist accessed using the touchscreen of Ford's Sync 4 connectivity and entertainment organization.

For commercial vehicle customers, Ford Pro Charging offers bespoke charging solutions incorporating charging equipment, ongoing maintenance and management software that help reduce time-consuming paperwork and charge schedule planning.

Ford recently joined 27 companies in a petition to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035 and chosen for targets to grow electrical vehicle charging infrastructure in Europe to keep pace with electric vehicle growth rates.

The company has previously stated that information technology believes a unified approach encompassing governments, European Union institutions, the entire automobile industry, energy providers, local authorities and consumers is required to advance the development of a comprehensive, easily accessible and efficient charging infrastructure at domicile, in the workplace and in public locations.

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Source: https://eandt.theiet.org/content/articles/2022/07/ford-trials-robot-charging-station-to-give-disabled-drivers-a-helping-hand/

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