Volkswagen’s research group displayed some of the new and cutting edge technologies that it has been working on recently – including some related to electric vehicles.
They unveiled their all-electric research car, which is capable of over 250 miles of range, a first for VW’s EVs, and new mobile charging robots are presented as a possible charging solution for the vehicle.
The Golf-based vehicle serves as a test bed for VW’s upcoming electric vehicle programs, like I.D. concepts:
“This provides an insight into the next generation of automobiles for efficient long-distance mobility with a range of more than 400 kilometres. The lightweight architecture has been designed for maximum crash safety including the battery. The battery is based on advanced lithium-ion cells and the efficiency of the electric motor has been optimised.”
Volkswagen is also using the platform to test technologies related to electric vehicles.
The most interesting is undoubtedly a “mobile robot charger.” They released a few pictures of the system:
Despite the fact that the actual act of plugging an electric vehicle is no more cumbersome, actually arguably less, than refueling a gas-powered car, there seems to be some sort of obsession to try to automate it.
There have been several different concepts, but VW’s mobile robot charger is certainly novel. The company sees some advantages for underground garages and multi-story car parks:
“In future, rapid charging of the electric vehicle will be extremely convenient. Mobile robots will connect up the automobile for recharging. Group Research is therefore working on charging robot concepts for underground garages and multi-story car parks. The Gen.E research vehicle is charged by the robot.”
What do you think? Practical or they should just focus on bringing a long-range EV to market? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.
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