Robot car chargers will give vulnerable groups a hand

A robot plugs a charger into an electric vehicle. [SEOUL METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT]

Robots will now be used to charge electric vehicles (EVs) in Seoul, the Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Tuesday.

A robot will automatically plug the EV into a charger for the driver. This is expected to benefit vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, as they charge their cars. The robot-equipped facilities will first be operated for two years starting in September at a parking lot near Singbanghwa Station in Gangseo District, western Seoul, with construction starting this month.

A robot charger can help charge up to three EVs simultaneously, which the city government expects will increase to 20 in the future.

According to the city government, this marks the first time Korea is introducing and implementing such technology.

Charging stations' thick and heavy electric cables were the main reason for the project to be promoted as they have hindered those with physical disabilities and pregnant women from easily charging their automobiles, the city government explained.

“Demand for EVs among those with disabilities is rising but spaces for them to charge their cars easily has been lacking,” a spokesperson for the metropolitan government said.

“We decided to build a robot charger to improve charging methods for those considered more vulnerable users.”

The driver only needs to open the charging port for the robot to automatically identify the location using razors. Once the charging is complete, the robot will place the cable back in its original position.

Fast charging stations, in particular, have thicker and heavier charging cables. But the number of such stations is surging in the country as the size of EV batteries gets bigger and drivers want to reduce time spent on charging.

For instance, it requires around 10 hours and 40 minutes to completely charge the BMW iX model for it to travel around 447 kilometers (278 miles). Charging the vehicle at a rapid charging station only requires around 35 minutes.

Only those considered vulnerable users, such as those with physical disabilities and pregnant women, will initially be eligible to take advantage of the facility. The city government plans to expand the offering to more users gradually.

BY CHO JUNG-WOO, MOON HEE-CHUL [cho.jungwoo1@joongang.co.kr]