Seoul will introduce the nation’s first AI-based autonomous robotic charging system named ‘Seoul Boy’. The city, in collaboration with Modern Tech, an electric vehicle charger specialist, will operate ‘Seoul Boy’ at the public parking lot of Sinbanghwa Station on Subway Line 9 and will hold an official unveiling event at 2 PM on the 27th.
Over the past two years, Seoul City has examined the commercial viability of unmanned robotic charging systems through demonstration projects. ‘Seoul Boy’ operates by automatically connecting a charging gun when vehicles enter the charging station and disconnecting it when charging is complete. This solves the inconvenience of users having to manually connect the charging cable in traditional electric vehicle charging methods and focuses especially on improving access for disabled people and pregnant women.
According to Seoul City, the ‘Seoul Boy’ can charge up to three electric vehicles simultaneously with one robot. After 16 months of pilot operation and safety testing since September 2023, it has received robot safety certification from the Korea Robot User Association. The system offers higher spatial efficiency compared to existing charging stations and includes a function to optimize charging through real-time data analysis, aiming to maximize operational efficiency of the charging station.
The method of use is simple. Users register their vehicle number and payment method once after signing up for the dedicated app ‘Modern Boy’. Once the vehicle is parked at the charging station, charging starts automatically within 60 seconds, requiring no further action until charging is complete. The status of the charging process can be checked in real-time through the app.
Currently, ‘Seoul Boy’ is optimized for models such as the Ioniq 5, Kona EV, and EV6, with plans to expand its application to various electric vehicle models including Tesla in the future. The charging fee is 324.4 won per kWh, which is the same as the general charging stations operated by Seoul City. Operating hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM on weekdays until June, with weekend and nighttime operations under consideration based on usage demand.
Seoul plans to further strengthen its electric vehicle charging infrastructure through this project, including the establishment of an integrated inconvenience reporting system for electric vehicle charging, expansion of automatic charging and payment systems (auto charging), and the introduction of ceiling-mounted fast chargers in electric bus depots, continuing to foster an eco-friendly mobility environment.
Kwon Min, head of the Seoul Climate and Environment Headquarters, stated, “The autonomous electric vehicle charging station is not just a charging facility, but an innovative service model for the era of autonomous driving,” adding, “We will do our best to ensure that all citizens of Seoul, including those with limited mobility, can conveniently use electric vehicles and contribute to reducing carbon emissions.”
Attention is focused on how the introduction of ‘Seoul Boy’ will change the paradigm of electric vehicle charging.