Westfalia Technologies has introduced Weplug, a novel automated overhead charging system designed to simplify EV charging infrastructure while reducing costs and complexity. The 50 kW DC fast charger employs a gantry-mounted robotic arm that connects to electric vehicles via a driver-inserted adapter, streamlining the charging process.
The key innovation in Weplug is its overhead gantry equipped with a vision-guided robotic arm that autonomously lowers the charging connector into an adapter previously placed in the vehicle’s charge port by the driver. This approach avoids the challenges and reliability issues associated with fully robotic systems that must precisely align with each vehicle’s unique charging port geometry.
Ian Todd, Executive Vice President of Automated Parking at Westfalia, explained, “It’s simple but powerful. We connect a car and charge it. Once finished, we move it to another spot in the facility whilst the overhead gantry moves to the next EV to be charged. […] This intelligent choreography enables fewer charging points, and a single gantry to service significantly more vehicles, dramatically improving efficiency while reducing infrastructure costs.”
The Weplug system is engineered for diverse applications, including fleet depots, car dealerships, automated parking garages, airports, and corporate campuses. It operates using a single-point utility connection, substantially lowering the electrical and construction footprint compared to traditional ground-based charging stations.
Westfalia states that Weplug can charge most electric vehicles to 80% capacity in under an hour. It is designed for flexibility in both new developments and retrofitted sites, assuming adequate overhead clearance is available. The system integrates seamlessly with Westfalia’s automated parking solutions, allowing vehicles to be dynamically repositioned before and after charging for optimal space utilization.
Todd added, “What makes combining Weplug with our automated parking systems especially impactful is how we can orchestrate the movement of EVs across an entire system for charging.”
Weplug’s combination of overhead robotic precision and intelligent vehicle movement offers a promising pathway to more efficient and cost-effective EV charging infrastructure in a variety of commercial and industrial environments.