Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji Bello
Jul 16, 2023
Their innovative robotic arm transforms any charger into an autonomous system, enhancing logistics efficiency and reducing human error.
Now, when electrification and automation are gaining ground, Dutch startup Rocsys aims to find the perfect balance. The company has developed a solution—a robotic arm capable of turning any electric vehicle (EV) charger into an autonomous charging system.
This innovation is particularly attractive to logistics operators in ports and yards, where vehicle uptime is crucial and precision is paramount. Manual intervention during the charging process has often been challenging in these environments due to worker regulations.
Truck drivers, for instance, are often restricted from performing charging tasks. To overcome this hurdle and accelerate the electrification of fleets, Rocsys believes that automating the charging process is imperative. Not only can automated charging ensure regulatory compliance, but it can also reduce human exposure to high-voltage equipment.
Crijn Bouman, CEO and co-founder of Rocsys highlighted the importance of their solution in hazardous environments. "At the moment, we are working in a waste processing plant in Sweden, and it's a very dangerous environment, so the driver needs to stay inside the vehicle," Bouman explained. By implementing Rocsys's autonomous charging system, workers can avoid potential risks and operate more safely.
Rocsys has already forged partnerships with prominent companies such as Hyster, a leading electric forklift manufacturer; Taylor Machine Works, an industrial equipment supplier. And SSA Marine, a major port operator. Additionally, the startup is on the cusp of finalizing a commercial partnership with one of North America's largest Big Box retailers.
But Rocsys's ambitions don't end with heavy-duty logistics. The company recently closed a $36 million Series A funding round, earmarking the funds for expanding its North American division and conducting research and development in the automotive sector.
Rocsys plans to collaborate with automakers preparing to introduce automated valet functionality in the near future. As Bouman emphasized, automated EV charging will go hand-in-hand with these advancements.
Looking ahead, Rocsys sees potential use cases for its technology in fleets of self-driving robotaxis and delivery vehicles. Bouman revealed that the company is already working with American autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to establish charging hubs for their AV fleets.
Managing a large-scale charger with autonomous vehicles can be demanding, requiring a dedicated crew, and any errors can result in financial losses. Rocsys aims to address these challenges with its automated charging solutions.
One of the standout features of Rocsys's solution is its ability to be retrofitted onto existing and future chargers, regardless of the charging standards used. Whether it's CCS, NACS, or any other format, Rocsys's robotic equipment can adapt. The company's business model involves a one-time purchase of the robotic equipment and a recurring service fee.
Looking ahead, Rocsys sees potential use cases for its technology in fleets of self-driving robotaxis and delivery vehicles. Bouman revealed that the company is already working with American autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to establish charging hubs for their AV fleets.
Managing a large-scale charger with autonomous vehicles can be demanding, requiring a dedicated crew, and any errors can result in financial losses. Rocsys aims to address these challenges with its automated charging solutions.
One of the standout features of Rocsys's solution is its ability to be retrofitted onto existing and future chargers, regardless of the charging standards used. Whether it's CCS, NACS, or any other format, Rocsys's robotic equipment can adapt. The company's business model involves a one-time purchase of the robotic equipment and a recurring service fee.