Siemens shows a prototype of an automated charging station

By Spare Wheel, 8 September, 2021

Siemens unveiled the "Siemens Autonomous Charging System" as a global premiere at the IAA MOBILITY (2021 International Motor Show Germany), which permits automated charging of electric vehicles ranging from cars to trucks.

According to the German company, the prototype, which was shown for the first time at the exhibition, has a charging capacity of up to 300 kW, which will be increased to over one megawatt in a future development step. The latter should make it possible to charge electric trucks. According to Siemens, long-distance vehicles must be charged during mandated stop periods, which necessitates charging capabilities of one kilowatt, but these connections are too hefty for humans. The charging robot is meant to assist here.

Siemens has partnered with the Swedish company Einride to test and develop the "Siemens Autonomous Charging System." Einride is working on self-driving trucks. According to Siemens, one autonomous vehicle has already been powered by an autonomous rapid charging system as part of the partnership. However, in the message, Siemens makes no mention of when such a system should enter a public test phase or even go into serial manufacturing.

According to Siemens, the charging robot's usefulness is not limited to autonomous automobiles and big trucks with massive charging wires. For those with physical restrictions, the system may also take overcharging. Siemens criticizes the lack of specifications or criteria that enable individuals with restricted mobility to participate in electric car traffic due to the shift to electric mobility. Siemens has formed a partnership with Sozialhelden eV to promote a future-oriented transportation transformation.

"The transition to e-mobility is well underway, and with our know-how, we're assisting the automobile sector in speeding up the process even further," says Cedrik Neike, Member of the Board of Management of Siemens AG and CEO of Digital Industries. "Our shared aim is to get electric automobiles on the road as quickly, effectively, and responsibly as possible. Only cutting-edge automation and digitalization technologies can do this."

Additionally, Siemens celebrated the launch of Simulytic, an in-house company. Simulytic's mission is to "use simulation to gain insight into the impacts and safety elements of autonomous cars." Insurance firms, for example, should be able to establish "the correct products, suitable rates, and target-oriented strategies for the future with autonomous vehicles" by better understanding the risk potential in more automated road traffic. @via Siemens.