Ford Is Building Robots to Help Disabled Drivers With EV Charging

If added mobility is the future, more ways for disabled drivers to use mobility options are necessary. Ford is working to build robots to help with EV charging.

Imagine you’re a disabled person and you drive to the local public EV charging station to fill your batteries. How are you going to attach the charger? Some disabled people have trouble with gas pumps and would also have problem with EV chargers. This is a problem that Ford and other automakers are working on to bring a solution to the market, allowing everyone to enjoy the benefits of driving an electric vehicle.

Robots Can be the Future

Its pretty easy for most of us to forget that disabled drivers might have trouble refueling their vehicles. Most who are able-bodied take activities like this for granted. That said, one of the aspects of the future of driving and mobility we expect from the automotive world involves helping disabled people get around better. This can be as simple as offering rides from homes to various places in town to a robotic arm that can help with charging an electric car.

Ford Partners with Dortmund University

Dortmund University is located in Germany and they are working on the robots that could be used for EV charging in the future. This could benefit disabled drivers and allow them to pull up to the EV charging station equipped with the robot, to get their charging done. This might lead to more widespread sales and experiences with these electric vehicles. These robots are camera-guided to connect with the charging port, making it much easier for drivers get the refueling needed without getting out of their car and plugging in the charging connector to the port in the side of the car.

Where Could These Chargers Help Disabled Drivers?

The robotic chargers could be installed in parking spaces and near ramps to ensure disabled drivers with electric vehicles can charge their cars without getting out of the vehicle. Another application of these robots could be to install them in customers’ homes, which are likely equipped with the necessary accommodations for the driver. This research project is more than just a response to the feedback given by drivers, it’s something that should be done. The feedback Ford received in Europe informed the company that 61 percent of disabled drives would only by an EV if they could charge it more easily.

Other Companies Are Working Toward the Same Goal

A company called EV Safe Charge is working to develop a robot charging station, as is both Tesla and Volkswagen. The EV Safe model is called Ziggy but this robot doesn’t have the ability to plug in or out without the aid of a human. Currently, the Ford model is the only one capable of performing the charging process without human intervention. Could all EV owners turn to robots for their EV charging in the future?

Looking Ahead to an Autonomous Driving World

If we reach an autonomous driving world these robot EV charging stations might be what’s used at every public charger in the future. An owner could simply send their vehicle to the station for charging and let it stay there until the job is done. Unfortunately, this will take a great deal more infrastructure than we have now. Imagine if all vehicles are electric and everyone sends their cars to the charging station to refill. Would there be enough ports for this to take place? Probably not, considering we don’t see a gas pump for ever driver, we can’t expect EV chargers for all vehicle owners. At-home charging is still the best option for most drivers.

Ford Already Revolutionizes the EV World Why Not Charging Too?

We already have two extremely impressive electric vehicles from Ford. The Mustang Mach-E and the F-150 Lightning. Both of these models are at the forefront of the industry and talked about at length regularly. With these vehicles on the road, its not surprising that Ford is looking into ways to make charging easier for disabled drivers. The goal is to have an EV in every household and make sure everyone can enjoy the mobility benefits offered.

What is the Ford Mustang Mach-E?

The Ford Mustang Mach-E is an impressive electric SUV that offers excellent power at every level. This is a great EV for families to enjoy the drive or to be an exciting vehicle that has the drive desired for anyone looking for some fun. Just because it’s an EV doesn’t mean it leave the Mustang roots behind. While you might not think about an electric SUV being a good fit when you consider what the Mustang has been, but the Mach-E has been embraced as a great EV to drive.

What is the Ford F-150 Lightning?

The first all-electric truck to hit the market is the Ford F-150 Lightning. This truck delivers some impressive capability levels and offers something special in the front. This Ford pickup brings you a large front trunk, or frunk with power ports to plug in tools and other items. This electric F-150 has become one of the most popular vehicles in the entire automotive market. Ford is capturing sales that don’t have to be shared with other automakers yet. Other EV trucks are on the way to push the needle farther in this market.

Can You Use the Ford Robot EV Charging Stations?

Right now, these Ford robot EV charging locations are only meant to be part of a research project. Until its perfected for disabled drivers, other accommodations must be met. It shouldn’t be long before some of these robots find their way to the electric chargers in various countries. This is only one way that Ford is working toward bringing more mobility to the market for disabled drivers. Everyone should have the freedom to move about their town freely, with easier charging options, this will allow disabled drivers to enjoy the EV future and the freedom of mobility.