Autonomous Docking for an Automated Robot-based Charger for EVs with Obstacle Detection

In a world moving towards automation, research and development of new solutions are becoming more and more important. Nowadays, electric vehicles are playing a key role in the development of new cutting-edge technologies in the automation field. In particular, the topic that has been discussed throughout the last 10 years, is the charging solutions for EVs. For this reason, Innotech Systems in Los Angeles, California, in collaboration with the Cal State University of Los Angeles, decided to invest in the development of an Automated Robot-based Charger for EVs. Their idea is to project a prototype while learning about this innovative technology that has the potential to simplify and automate certain aspects of life. The aim of this thesis is to design a charging station prototype using a robotic arm upon a detailed market investigation to understand what other companies all around the world are up to. The first two chapters will go through why an automated charging station is needed, similar projects carried out by other companies and all the theoretical background necessary to create such a system. Instead, in the last two chapters the main work will be presented going through both software and hardware components, and various tests and results will be discussed.