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Hyundai and Kia’s Valet Will Automatically Park and Charge EVs While You Shop

01.11.19 | By
Hyundai and Kia’s Valet Will Automatically Park and Charge EVs While You Shop

Hyundai and Kia recognize one of the largest challenges looming for electric vehicles in cities across the globe is related to the infrastructure supporting the daily use of keeping vehicles sufficiently charged. Currently keeping EVs charged away from home requires planning and mapping of charging stations. The Korean automotive companies envision simplifying matters with a fully automated system addressing the need for recharging by taking the search out of the hands of the passenger completely.

Modeled with the Hyundai Le Fil Rouge Concept as an example, the Automated Valet Parking System (AVPS) is shown dropping off a passenger before being sent via app – sans any occupant or driver – to wireless charge in a parking spot outfitted with magnetic induction.

The charging system updates the charging status of the vehicle in real-time, reviewable via app.

Once fully charged, the driver can hail their vehicle to autonomously return to the passenger’s desired location, a feat powered by a continuous communication between electric vehicle, parking facility, charging system and driver. If you’ve been to a multi-level parking facility where empty parking spaces are monitored, you’ll recognize how Hyundai and Kia imagine keeping tabs on charging stations availability (which also allows for vehicles to be autonomously moved once fully charged to allow other vehicles precious charge time).

Hyundai and Kia plan to commercialize the autonomous charging technology upon the launch of level 4 autonomous vehicle around year 2025, which means for now, EV drivers will have to vie for those precious few charging stations that may or may not be available for a few years longer.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.