Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Motors Corporation unveiled a video featuring the concept of a wireless electric vehicle charging system with the Automated Valet Parking System (AVPS).
According to the company, the concept was developed as a convenience to drivers who will face overcrowding of both parking and charging locations as electric vehicle numbers grow steadily. The system will relocate fully charged vehicles from the charging stations and allow other awaiting electric vehicles to charge.
Upon commanding the vehicle to charge using a smartphone, the vehicle will autonomously cruise to a vacant wireless charging station. When the vehicle is fully charged, it will relocate to another vacant parking space using the Automated Valet Parking System (AVPS), allowing other vehicles to charge at that spot. When the driver calls for the vehicle through the same app in the smartphone, it will then autonomously return to the location of the driver.
The overall process is performed by continuous communication between electric vehicle, parking facility, charging system, driver and the related infrastructures. The parking facility sends the location of empty parking spaces and charging stations, while the charging system updates the charging status of the vehicle in real-time.
Hyundai and Kia are considering on commercialising the technology upon the launch of level 4 autonomous vehicle around the year 2025. Hyundai and Kia also plan to commercialise autonomous vehicles in various smart cities from 2021 with a goal of launching fully autonomous vehicles by 2030.
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