Need a charge? This robot comes to your car

Electric vehicle drivers at a leisure complex in Futian can now summon a mobile charging robot to their parking space instead of searching for an available charging bay.

A CharGo mobile charging robot charges an electric vehicle at Xiangmihu Four Seasons Flower Valley in Futian District. Photo courtesy of Shanghai Yundian Intelligent Technology Co.

The CharGo robot recently entered service at Xiangmihu Four Seasons Flower Valley, near Xiangmi Park in Futian District. It is the system’s first application in Shenzhen, according to Shum Yip Group, which operates the complex.

Motorists can request the service through the CharGo WeChat mini-program by entering their vehicle and parking-space information. The robot then navigates through the parking lot to reach the vehicle. After the charging cable is connected, motorists can leave their vehicle charging while visiting the complex.

The service is available around the clock. Charging starts at 1.80 yuan (US$0.25) per kilowatt-hour and is billed according to the amount of electricity delivered, information displayed in the mini-program shows.

Available options range from 18 yuan for 10 kWh to 90 yuan for 50 kWh. The platform estimates that 10 kWh can add approximately 60 to 75 kilometers of driving range, although the actual increase will depend on the vehicle, battery condition and driving conditions. 

Developed by Shanghai Yundian Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of battery manufacturer CATL, CharGo combines mobile charging, distributed energy storage and battery inspection functions.

Each unit carries a 65-kWh lithium iron phosphate battery and supports DC charging at up to 55 kilowatts, according to information provided by the operator. Actual charging speeds will depend on the vehicle and its battery level.

Unlike a conventional charger assigned to a dedicated bay, a mobile unit can serve vehicles in different parking spaces. This allows ordinary spaces to be used temporarily for charging and could help operators respond more flexibly to fluctuations in demand.

The model may be particularly useful at busy destinations, where drivers using fixed charging facilities may have to search for an available bay or wait for another vehicle to finish charging.

Located beside Xiangmi Park, Four Seasons Flower Valley combines floral displays with recreational and commercial facilities. Its location and heavier visitor traffic during holidays provide a real-world setting in which the operator can assess the robot’s performance under varying levels of demand.