Hyundai Reveals a Unique EV Charging and Automated Parking System

author: Eric Walz   

In the future, parking and charging an electric vehicle might become a completely automated process. The Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled a video featuring the concept of electric vehicle wireless charging system combined with automated "Automated Valet Parking System" (AVPS). The system is designed to make it easier for electric vehicle owners to charge their vehicles in busy EV charging sites and parking lots or public garages.

The system monitors the charge of the vehicle. It allows drivers to command a vehicle to charge via a smartphone app. Once a driver performs this action, the car automatically drives itself into an available charging space and begins charging. Once the EV's battery has reached a full charge, it moves the car from the space, freeing it up for the next awaiting EV.

The EV chargers use magnetic induction, so there will be no need to plug in a cable, the car is parked over the induction plate to commence charging.

After the vehicle is fully charged, it will autonomously vacate the parking space using the Automated Valet Parking System (AVPS), freeing up the space for the next vehicle to use.

When the driver calls for the vehicle, it will then autonomously return to the location of the driver. This feature is similar to Tesla's "summon" feature where the car drives autonomously from a parking space to a driver's precise location.  

The overall process is performed by continuous communication between electric vehicle, parking facility, charging system and driver.

The parking facility sends location of empty parking spaces and charging stations, while the charging system updates the charging status of the vehicle in real-time. All of this information is accessible using the smartphone app.

Although it's just a concept at this point, Hyundai and Kia are considering commercializing the technology upon the launch of level 4 autonomous vehicles around the year 2025.

Eric Walz

Originally hailing from New Jersey, Eric is a automotive & technology reporter covering the high-tech industry here in Silicon Valley. He has over 15 years of automotive experience and a bachelors degree in computer science. These skills, combined with technical writing and news reporting, allows him to fully understand and identify new and innovative technologies in the auto industry and beyond. He has worked at Uber on self-driving cars and as a technical writer, helping people to understand and work with technology.