Unikie, a global software engineering company, and Rocsys, a provider of hands-free charging solutions for EVs, have announced a long-term technology partnership to enhance hands-free charging for automated vehicles in bus and logistics depots. Together, the companies aim to improve the charging process for these vehicles while advancing the operations of fully autonomous fleet depots.
The partnership itself will focus on integrating Rocsys’ hands-free charging solution – including the ROC-1 robot and the Rocsys API – with Unikie’s Marshalling Solution. While this integration will initially support use cases within autonomous transportation (specifically autonomous buses) and logistics depots, Rocsys and Marshall expect to utilize it in other depot settings as well. Rocsys highlighted that the use of its API through this integration will likewise allow any of its future hardware releases to be compatible with Unikie’s system.
This integration of Rocsys and Unikie’s technologies follows their recent collaboration on an initial, behind-the-fence, test deployment on Unikie’s site in Turku, Finland. Through this deployment, they explored how their technologies could together be applied to bus operations and promote sustainability across the public transportation sector overall. The companies highlighted that this same technology could also support the automated marshalling of compatible electric vehicles.
Rocsys says that its technologies, ranging from new soft robotics and AI-driven computer vision, through to data-driven services, combine to offer a seamless, automated, connection between vehicles and charging stations. While eliminating the need for manual plug-ins, this functionality can particularly be of use in bus depots where fleet management requires precise scheduling and operational efficiencies.
Ultimately, through their new partnership, the companies are committed to supporting the electrification of public transportation fleets and aim to deliver practical, scalable, solutions to the market.
