Autofuel claims the new technology will become a necessity as self-driving cars emerge on roads
(Picture: Autofuel)Imagine a time when London petrol stations are manned by robotic helpers that can fill up your tank and clean your car while you sit back and relax. This idyllic vision of the future could be closer than you think thanks to a new robotic refuelling system.
The tech sees a robotic arm grab the fuel of your choice, put it in your tank, and handle payments. It won’t buff the bonnet or make you a burger, but at least it removes one mundane task from your schedule.
The system is the brainchild of Denmark-based startup Autofuel, which claims its droid can be easily attached to any existing petrol pump. It also says that the new technology is future-proof and can be tweaked to deliver alternative fuels such as electricity, hydrogen, CNG, and LNG.
Because it’s an add-on, drivers can also choose to skip it in favour of filling the tank themselves. Understandably, some people might not want to let a robot with a flammable liquid near their vehicle.
As convenient as it sounds, the system does have its drawbacks. In order to use it, you’ll have to install a special gas tank cap on your car. It will also require you to register your vehicle’s details, including the model, fuel type, payment details, and license plate, according to Interesting Engineering.
When you pull into a petrol station, a screen will point you to the nearest robotic pump. Once parked, the robotic arm will open the fuel cap and place the nozzle in the tank. While it gets to work, you’ll be kept updated on how far along it is and will see a message when the refuelling is complete.
You’ll be able to leave as a green light indicates that the robot has closed the fuel door on your car. In the meantime, the system will clear the payment using your pre-registered details.
According to Autofuel, the droid is designed to shake up the refueling process, which has lay dormant for the past 70 years, while other tech including smartphones and faster internet have drastically changed travel and navigation. It also claims it will soon become a necessity as self-driving cars emerge on roads. “Autofuel is the ideal solution, keeping them full of energy, without any human action involved," the startup says.
It may not be the only bot at your local pump, either. With robotic baristas now a thing, you may find a droid whipping up coffees when you enter a petrol station shop in the near future.
