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4įor commercial vehicle customers, Ford Pro Charging offers bespoke charging solutions incorporating charging equipment, ongoing maintenance and management software that help reduce time-consuming paperwork and charge schedule planning.įord recently joined 27 companies in a petition to ensure all new cars and vans in Europe are zero emission from 2035 and called for targets to grow electric vehicle charging infrastructure in Europe to keep pace with electric vehicle growth rates.
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To help drivers find charging stations and pay for charging, Ford Charge Assist can be accessed using the touchscreen of Ford’s SYNC 4 connectivity and entertainment system. A follow-up project with the charging network provider IONITY will look to further improve the robot charging station.įord is also researching into robot charging solutions in combination with Automated Valet Parking, as demonstrated at IAA in Munich, Germany, last year.įord’s fast-growing Blue Oval Charging Network provides customers with access to a network of over 300,000 chargers across Europe. This research project complements Ford’s commitment to electrification.
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The driver would simply send the vehicle to the charging station, with the infrastructure ensuring it reaches and returns from its destination autonomously. Looking ahead, the process could become fully automated, with minimal or no driver involvement. The technology could also support more powerful charging to charge vehicles in a much shorter time. Further applications could include fast and efficient charging of company fleets. In future, the robot charging station, custom-made by Dortmund University, in Germany, could be installed at disabled parking spaces, in car parks or at private homes. 3 After charging, the arm retracts back into place. For the trial, drivers were able to monitor the charge status via the FordPass app. Once activated, the station cover slides open and the charging arm extends towards the inlet with the help of a tiny camera.
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2 Ford is testing the robot charging station as part of a research project to develop hands-free charging solutions for electric vehicles and fully automatic charging for autonomous vehicles.įollowing initial lab testing, Ford researchers are now putting the robot charging station to the test in real-life situations. 1 The technology could enable disabled drivers to stay in the car while charging, or they could leave the car while the robot does all the work.ĭisabled drivers have already identified ease of charging as a key purchase consideration for electric vehicles. Now, Ford has developed a prototype robot charging station that drivers operate via their smartphone from inside their electric vehicle. But for disabled drivers, people with reduced mobility and older people it can be a significant challenge. But for disabled drivers, people with reduced mobility and older people it can be a significant challengeįor most of us, filling a car with fuel, or charging an electric vehicle is a simple task. For most of us, filling a car with fuel, or charging an electric vehicle is a simple task.
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