Hyundai Motor Group Shows Newly Developed Automatic Charging Robot for EVs

Hyundai Motor Group has developed an automatic charging robot (ACR) for electric vehicles (EVs). It is a one-arm robot capable of plugging a cable into an EV’s charging port and removing it again once charging is complete. 

In order for a robot to fasten a charger to the charging port securely, software technology that can simultaneously calculate these multiple variables is required.

To this end, Hyundai's Robotics Lab has developed an algorithm that applies 3D camera-based AI technology to robots, and next-generation control technology based on this application allows robots to accurately handle heavy chargers.

Given that that most EV chargers are installed outdoors without cover, the group's engineers built a bespoke outdoor EV charging station at its R&D center and evaluated performance in various conditions.

Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab, Hyundai Motor Group, says: “The ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments. It will also improve accessibility, particularly for people with mobility barriers, as charging cables become thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging. We will continue developing the ACR for increased safety and more convenience, so that all EV customers can soon benefit from using it at charging stations.”

The newly unveiled ACR will be on display at Hyundai Motor’s exhibition booth during the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, held at KINTEX in from March 31 to April 9.