Automatic charging for automated vehicles

Charging of automated vehicles (AV) is still an operation that requires human intervention: with batteries of somewhat limited capacity, AVs need charging during operations. Traditionally, this task is done by driving the vehicle and manually plugging it in to the charging station, which is often located at some distance, so the vehicle has to be out of service for some time.

To solve this challenge, a concept is being tested in the metaCCAZE project Living Lab in Tampere, Finland, where the vehicle is charged automatically on-route while standing at the bus stop. Four automated vehicles, of which two are smaller shuttles and two larger buses with passenger capacities reaching up to 25 persons, will be involved in real operations across several districts of the city.

The City of Tampere, Tampere University, and the technological partner REMOTED, will use these tests to address related challenges such as charging devices, often mounted on the ground, coping with the harsh Finnish winter conditions, the automated driving systems positioning accuracy to precisely stop at the charging place, or the integration of the charging interfaces into the vehicles.

Source: The original article was published here