Ceiling-mounted charging robot in China rolls on rails to power EVs

China is pioneering an innovative overhead robotic charging system for electric vehicles (EVs) that moves along ceiling-mounted rails in parking garages. This technology enables on-demand charging without the need for drivers to find and occupy dedicated charging spots. Users can request charging via a WeChat mini-program or QR code, prompting the robotic charger to navigate to the vehicle, identify the charging port using cameras and sensors, and automatically connect. By using a single rail to power multiple vehicles, this system significantly reduces infrastructure costs compared to installing individual chargers at every parking space. While it delivers slower Level 2 AC charging rather than fast DC charging, it is well-suited for locations where cars remain parked for extended periods, such as offices and residential complexes. Several Chinese companies, including LiAuto, CGXi, and Wave Charging, are actively developing and commercializing these rail-based robotic chargers, with systems capable of serving multiple parking spaces from a single unit. Ground-based robotic chargers are also gaining traction, with firms like CharGo projecting