“I wanted to drive an electric car, but I can’t reach the charger, which presented significant difficulties. With the Automatic Charging Robot (ACR), I can charge the car without even getting out of it. It’s a must for people like me who deal with disabilities.”

YouTuber Park We, who participated in Hyundai Motor Company’s ‘Charge Live’ campaign, was impressed with the ACR system that automatically charges EVs through an app. The ‘Charge Live’ campaign is an project by Hyundai Motor Company to sponsor a 2-night, 3-day trip to Jeju Island for individuals with limited mobility. Participants not only had their travel expenses paid for, but also had the opportunity to experience Hyundai Motor Company’s ACR system while driving electric cars.

ACR is an automatic charging robot developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s Robotics LAB, featuring innovative barrier-free AI technology. ‘Barrier-free’ refers to eliminating any possible obstacles to ensure that everyone can access the same social services and benefits, regardless of disability, and technology used to break down these barriers is referred to as barrier-free technology.

Developed based on the philosophy of barrier-free solutions, the ACR communicates with the vehicle to open the charging port door and precisely recognizes the vehicle’s charging port, automatically performing all tasks needed for charging, including inserting and removing the charging cable. Furthermore, even if the vehicle moves during charging, the robot is able to flexibly adjust its position to ensure safety and prevent damage to the vehicle.

In addition, deep learning-based 3D positioning estimation technology is applied to minimize charging port recognition errors to within 2mm. It is also designed to withstand extreme temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C and more than 90% humidity, and features IP65-rated waterproof and dustproof technology to ensure optimal performance in a wide variety of external environments.

Hyundai Motor Company is using its superior technology to actively ensure the rights to travel for individuals with limited mobility. To this end, the ‘Charge Live’ campaign involves sponsoring a 2-night, 3-day trip to Jeju Island for pregnant women and people with disabilities, with a total of 93 groups consisting of 305 participants sharing meaningful travel experiences together.

From June to July 2024, campaign participants were provided with round-trip air tickets, accommodations, IONIQ 5 rental cars, and charging fees, enabling them to freely travel around Jeju Island and experience the ACR systems installed at Saebil E-pit charging stations.

With its vision of ‘Progress for Humanity,’ Hyundai Motor Company is committed to providing mobility solutions that allow individuals with limited mobility to move freely and connect with the world. The company is continuously working to develop technologies like the ACR like the ACR and make them more widespread.