Normal Motors is the most recent automaker trying to patent a robotic EV charger.

A patent software titled “Robotic Charging Machine” was filed by GM with america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) Nov. 30, 2021, however was solely printed this Thursday.

The appliance describes an automatic charging course of wherein the charger plugs itself into an EV after which unplugs when charging is accomplished. {Hardware} for this may encompass a base and vertical pillar, with an connected arm that would rotate or prolong to place the cost cable.

Normal Motors robotic EV charger patent picture

It is price noting that the applicant listed for this concept is not only GM, however GM Cruise Holdings, the autonomous-driving tech agency owned by the automaker. Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt, who additionally co-founded Cruise earlier than promoting to GM, is listed as one of many inventors on the applying.

This offers a clue as to the potential use of this robotic charger design. Robotic charging will doubtless be crucial for self-driving vehicles, which will not all the time have a driver onboard to plug them in. The appliance even discusses using an autonomous automobile’s sensors to assist place the cost cable.

Cruise launched a robotaxi service in early 2022 in San Francisco utilizing a fleet of modified Chevrolet Bolt EV hatchbacks. It plans to stay with EVs, ultimately including a devoted automobile generally known as the Origin. So Cruise will certainly want to think about large-scale EV charging.

Normal Motors robotic EV charger patent picture

Automated charging has different potential advantages, together with making EVs extra sensible for these with mobility points. That promise has led different automakers to experiment with robotic chargers.

Hyundai lately confirmed a prototype EV charging robotic put in on the automaker’s principal R&D middle in South Korea, and Stellantis confirmed a cell inductive charging robotic alongside the Ram 1500 Revolution BEV idea at CES this 12 months. Tesla confirmed a snake-like robotic charger prototype in 2015, however has made no additional strikes towards its software.