Tankpitstop robot finally automates car tank filling
Source: Reuters
The first robotic car tank filling I have seen was at experimental hydrogen stations in Iceland. Hydrogen is simply too dangerous to handle manually, so cap height, cap shape and filling mechanism were all designed as one system. Now Dutch inventors automate the care tank filling task with a robot that costs €75,000. It recognises the car as it approaches the pump, finds its fuel tank opening, unscrews the cap, fills the tank and then closes cap and flap again.
I would not really characterise the “tankpitstop” robot as an invention, as all its sensors, control system and mechanics exist for years now. However, the fact that you do not have to get dirty or smelly hands to fill up the car’s tank and that it saves everybody a hand wash is very welcome.
It is not clear at that point what measures are taken to avoid accidents with humans in the robot’s vicinity. The robot will prove its efficiency in a small number of Dutch petrol stations by the end of this year. Since the vast majority of European stations do no have any attendants whatsoever, the proposition gets pretty expensive and the payback period is infinite. Only suggested for petrol stations with extra cash to waste…
Link: Reuters
