BYD shows robotic EV charger with automatic plug-in and 1,000 kW output in the UAE
BYD demonstrated in the UAE a robotic arm that finds the charging port and connects the plug without a driver. Output reportedly reached 1,000 kW; price and launch date are not disclosed.
BYD has demonstrated a flash-charging robotic arm in the United Arab Emirates, carnewschina.com reports. The system automatically locates the charging port, opens its cover, inserts the connector and removes it once charging is complete. During the demonstration the charging system reportedly reached a power output of 1,000 kW. carnewschina.com
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The charger was shown at a media event in the UAE, where on November 6 BYD announced that the Yangwang U9 Xtreme reached 503.17 km/h. The next day the company unveiled the Yangwang Altior sedan with a starting price of 2.08 million yuan (311,500 USD). The robotic charger received less attention than both.
How the robotic charger works
The arm uses visual recognition and force-feedback control to identify the charging port and position the connector. It supports several connector specifications used in overseas markets.
The station combines photovoltaic panels, battery energy storage and high-power charging equipment. The panels generate electricity, and the storage system helps manage power delivery. BYD also showed a one-tap automated parking and charging function: a compatible vehicle enters the charging space on its own, after which the arm connects the charger without driver intervention. carnewschina.com
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Background and rollout plans
BYD has developed automated charging robots for several years, starting with automated guided vehicles and then moving to passenger cars. Earlier published patents also describe checking battery level and tyre pressure, identifying tyre valves and inflating tyres without modifying the vehicle.
In March 2026 the company introduced its second-generation Blade Battery and a charging system supporting up to 1,500 kW per connector. According to BYD, under suitable conditions the battery charges from 10% to 70% in five minutes and from 10% to 97% in nine minutes.
BYD earlier announced plans for 20,000 flash-charging stations in China by the end of 2026 and a wider international rollout in the same year. It plans 100 flash chargers in Europe by the end of 2026 and 3,000 by the end of 2027. The company has not said when the robotic system will become commercially available or what the equipment will cost. carnewschina.com
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BYD is not the first Chinese automaker to show automated charging. In January 2025 Huawei presented a robotic arm on its 600 kW supercharger together with the Maextro S800 sedan, which located the station, parked next to it and was plugged in automatically.
