Hyundai said it’s developed a robotic electric-vehicle charger for hands-free, anywhere charging.

The South Korean carmaker, parent company of Kia, will introduce the technology at the Seoul Mobility Show that starts on Friday.

What it calls the automatic charging robot is a one-armed device that can plug a cable into an EV’s charging port, removing it after a complete charge. The robot communicates with the vehicle to open the port and uses a camera to pinpoint the angle of entry.

“The ACR will help to make EV-charging easier and more convenient, especially in dark environments,” said Dong Jin Hyun, Head of Robotics Lab, Hyundai Motor Group, in a statement.

“It will also improve accessibility, particularly for people with mobility barriers, as charging cables become thicker and heavier to enable high-speed charging. We will continue developing the ACR for increased safety and more convenience, so that all EV customers can soon benefit from using it at charging stations.”

The charger is water- and dust-proof and can operate “even in extreme environments,” Hyundai says, since most EV chargers are placed outdoors.        

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