What if you pitch up to power your electric vehicle (EV) and the parking lot charging stations are all occupied? Would you search for another location or wait your turn? To ease wait time frustration, a Beijing company has introduced a new solution to this increasing problem — mobile charging robots.

EV owners simply need to scan a QR code in the underground parking lots of malls or office buildings to call a purple and yellow four-wheel robot, enabling the innovative "station-to-vehicle" charging model. This effectively solves issues like limited charging station availability and occupied parking spaces.

The wheeled robot is capable of autonomous obstacle avoidance and moving up inclines. It can operate at a top speed of five km/h in underground parking lots, easily navigating complex terrain. Using a fast-charging mode, the robot can extend a vehicle's range by 150 kilometers in just 15 minutes.

When multiple vehicles place orders simultaneously, the system dynamically prioritizes charging based on factors such as EV's location, remaining battery capacity and departure time, maximizing operational efficiency. Additionally, built-in pressure sensors monitor battery temperature and pressure changes in real time, improving safety. With the driver's permission, the robot can check battery health to optimize charging performance.

At present, 30 charging robots have been deployed in over 10 office buildings and malls in Beijing, including the famous Heshenghui Shopping Center. Charging costs align with traditional charging stations. According to plans, Beijing will add 1,000 mobile charging robots across 150 parking lots this year, offering greater convenience for EV owners.