CONTINENTAL

German company and Austrian partner develop robotic car charger

German company Continental, with the help of Austrian startup Volterio, has developed a robotic charging system for electric vehicles. The main advantage of the technology is the complete absence of losses characteristic of similar wireless induction platforms.

The charging system consists of two components: a receiver that is fixed to the underside of the car and a robotic floor module. When the car passes the robotic charger, it wirelessly detects the connected receiver and connects to it directly. According to the developers, the system is quite unpretentious - it compensates for an error of up to 30 cm, regardless of the angle at which the car is parked. This means that the driver does not have to park the car for a long time to ensure the most efficient charging. The system is ideal for cars with autopilot.

Continental said that, in parallel with the company, experts from the Austrian startup Volterio took over the development of a similar project, so it was later decided to join forces. Volterio is preparing to present the first pre-series samples of the system by the middle of this year, and Continental will guarantee mass production, however, only until 2024. In the initial phase, a loading system adapted to families of 22 kW. Subsequently, its professional version will be launched for public parking lots and commercial vehicle garages – it will work with a power of 50 kW. The professional robotic charger will be hidden on the floor when not in use.

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