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Doosan, Collaborative Robot Electric Vehicle Automatic Charging Solution Development and Pilot Operation with HandaLab Participation

Doosan Robotics and LG Electronics Conduct Pilot Operation of Electric Vehicle Charging Robot
Posted on April 16, 2024, 9:43 AM

Ryu Jeong-hoon, CEO of Doosan Robotics (right), and Jang Ik-hwan, Head of LG Electronics BS Business Division, are taking a commemorative photo next to the electric vehicle automatic charging solution using collaborative robots. (Photo: Doosan Robotic

This solution consists of a kiosk for vehicle recognition and billing, and an automatic charging system. When a driver parks the electric vehicle in a designated charging area, a separately installed camera sends vehicle-related information to the system, and the driver completes the authentication process. Then, the collaborative robot, equipped with an AI-based 3D vision camera, identifies the location of the electric vehicle’s charging port. The robot then attaches the charging cable to the charging port, starting the charging process. Once the charging is complete, the charging cable is detached from the port and returned to its original position, followed by automatic payment processing.

The key to the electric vehicle automatic charging solution using collaborative robots lies in ensuring safety and accurately inserting the heavy charging cable into the charging port. Doosan Robotics implemented this solution by equipping the six joints of the collaborative robot with high-performance torque sensors to precisely control external forces, and by securing industry-leading safety certifications (PLe, Cat4)

The collaborative robot is adjusting its position to attach the charging cable to the electric vehicle’s charging port. (Photo: Doosan Robotics)

Generally, electric vehicle fast charging systems are more difficult to handle than slow charging systems due to the larger and heavier charging cables. Doosan Robotics expects that this solution will provide safety and convenience for drivers.

After the pilot operation, the two companies plan to reflect improvements and enhance the completeness of the electric vehicle automatic charging solution. They also plan to consider the development of various other automatic charging solutions in the future.

Ryu Jeong-hoon, CEO of Doosan Robotics, said, "The electric vehicle automatic charging solution is a technology that requires sensitivity, precision, and safety from collaborative robots to be developed. It is a challenging technology to implement. Moving forward, we will enhance the product's completeness and diversify automatic charging solutions to respond to the rapidly growing electric vehicle charging market."

Reporter Shin Young-bin (burger@zdnet.co.kr)