Hyundai Deploys AI-Powered Robots for Automatic EV Charging at Incheon Airport

Hyundai's robo-charger tops up EVs at one of world's largest airports

Hag Jae Lee, President and CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation (left), and Heui Won Yang, President and Head of the R&D Division at Hyundai Motor Group (right) Plugging in a charging cable to top up your electric car's battery is not exactly rocket science, but we're finally approaching the robot age so why not let the bots do it? That's just what Hyundai is aiming to do at an airport in South Korea. Though many drivers of electric vehicles won't find the process of plugging in problematic, others - such as those with personal mobility issues - may appreciate some help. And in the case of fully autonomous EVs, it might be considered rude to expect human passengers to get out and cable a robotaxi to a supercharger for a quick top up on the way to the airport. We've seen a few auto makers (including Tesla, VW and Ford) explore the idea of robot assistance, but those have so far been concepts and prototypes. Hyundai is actually moving toward commercial deployment. That's following prototype testing in 2023, where we first got to see the robot helper in action. Now the company has announced a demonstration project at Incheon International Airport near Seoul in South Korea, reportedly one of the largest airports in the world. The facility already has a bunch of charging stations spread over its sprawling complex, and is reportedly aiming to have more than a thousand up and running by 2026. Now Hyundai's AI-based automatic charging robots will be available at some of those "to enhance convenience and safety at the airport." The idea is that drivers park in a robo-assisted charging spot, the ACR system communicates wirelessly with the electric vehicle to gain access to the car's charging port. The bot's arm then uses camera sensors to extend the charging cable to the vehicle and plug in. Once the top-up session is complete, the cable is removed by the robot, the car's port closed and the charger returned to the ready position for the next customer. This ACR system received certification in Korea last year, and has also been tested to basic European safety standards. The technology has already been put through its paces at a "robot-friendly" factory in the nation's capital. The airport deployment is expected to serve as a development testbed and demonstrator as the partnership eyes expansion to "various domestic and international transportation infrastructures such as airports, seaports and railways." "This collaboration will serve as a significant milestone in verifying the practical benefits of future mobility technologies by combining Hyundai Motor Group's robotics and AI capabilities with Incheon International Airport Corporation's extensive operational experience," said Heui Won Yang, President of Hyundai's R&D Division. "Hyundai Motor Group aims to offer a more convenient and enhanced mobility experience through a customized automatic charging solution that can be used in any setting." "We expect this partnership to significantly enhance service and improve operational efficiency at Incheon International Airport," added Hag Jae Lee, President and CEO of Incheon International Airport Corporation.

Hyundai deploys AI robots to charge EVs at Incheon airport

Hyundai Motor Group -- which includes both Hyundai and Kia -- is bringing AI-powered charging robots to Incheon Airport, fusing future mobility with one of the world's busiest travel hubs. These AI-powered automatic charging robots (ACRs) will handle EV charging on their own, offering a faster, more convenient solution for travelers and airport operations alike. The move, part of a new partnership between Hyundai Motor Group and Incheon International Airport Corporation (IIAC), is aimed at testing how AI and robotics can make EV charging smarter and more efficient in busy public spaces. Through this pilot project, the airport will serve as a testbed for the Group's cutting-edge charging tech, which has already earned safety certifications in Korea (KC) and the EU (CE). Hyundai and Kia will work together to fine-tune the robots' hardware and software, while also exploring ways to link them with smart parking systems and gather real-time feedback from users. Backed by Hyundai's robotics expertise and Kia's system software development support, the charging robots are expected to play a key role in the airport's transformation into a next-gen "Aviation AI Innovation Hub" under the Incheon Airport 4.0 vision. Kia's R&D center in Hwaseong will also contribute to developing connected services that integrate with the charging system. For passengers, it could mean smoother EV charging with zero hassle. For the airport, it's a big step toward greener, tech-driven operations Heui Won Yang, who heads Hyundai Motor Group's R&D division, said the project is a big step in proving how future mobility tech like robotics and AI can make a real difference in everyday settings. "Hyundai Motor Group aims to offer a more convenient and enhanced mobility experience through a customized automatic charging solution that can be used in any setting. We also look forward to working with Incheon International Airport to build various mobility infrastructures and lead the future mobility ecosystem," he said in a release.

Check out Hyundai's new robot that will automatically charge your EV

How much easier can charging get? Hyundai and Kia want to make it effortless with their new robot that automatically charges your EV. If cars can drive themselves, why can't robots automatically charge your EV? That may soon be a reality after Hyundai Motor showcased its new automatic charging robots (ACRs) in Korea. Hyundai and Kia set up a demo site at the Incheon International Airport as part of a new business agreement. Through the agreement, Hyundai (and Kia) will work with the airport to establish an automatic robot EV charging service. Since Incheon International Airport has already electrified its entire fleet and plans to have 1,110 chargers by 2026, it is the perfect spot to test it out. The companies will use the demo site as a "stepping stone" with plans to expand into additional airports, seaports, railways, and other transportation hot spots. Hyundai Motor's head of R&D said the project is "a significant milestone in verifying the practical benefits" of robotic EV charging. Although several other companies, like Tesla and RAM (remember the Ram Charger?), have teased robot EV chargers in the past, Hyundai is one of the first to put them into action. Hyundai first introduced its automatic charging robot in 2023. Using a 3D camera system and AI, the robot will automatically find and plug into the vehicle's charge port. When you're done, it will remove the charger and close the cover. Check out the video above to see how it works on the IONIQ 6. The company expects that automatic charging robots will "significantly increase" the convenience of EV charging. With autonomous parking, the robots can charge several parked vehicles at the same time. Will we see Hyundai's robot EV chargers rolling around global airports in the future? It could soon be a reality.