Bernhard Großwindhager (NXP), Michael Leitner (NXP) and Gregor Eckhard (Easelink) at charge site equipped with Matrix Charging. Foto: Lichtmeister
The Graz-based high-tech company Easelink and the Dutch semiconductor manufacturer NXP Semiconductors with its Austrian location in Gratkorn have jointly developed a positioning system for automated charging based on UWB (Ultra Wideband) technology. This system is comparable to a particularly safe, accurate and efficient parking aid that helps in the last few meters of parking to bring the electric car into the perfect position for fully automated charging using Matrix Charging. The technology is already being used successfully on a daily basis in the world’s largest project for automated charging of e-taxis in public spaces.
The UWB technology used in the positioning system from NXP and Easelink is already known from applications such as the digital car key in selected car models and smartphones. NXP is one of the leading companies in the world here. UWB as a radio technology is particularly characterized by the safe, precise and efficient distance estimation between two electronic devices. It is particularly suitable for supporting functions such as when parking, which is why it has now also been integrated into the two Matrix Charging components (connector in the vehicle underbody and charging plate/pad in the parking space) for precise position determination.
During automated charging with Matrix Charging, the so-called connector in the area of the front axle is lowered from the underbody of the vehicle onto the charging plate in the floor for charging. When accessing the loading plate located in the floor, the position indicator is shown on a display in the vehicle to support the driver. This display receives the signals via the built-in UWB modules in the Matrix Charging system and shows the person driving the optimal parking and charging position.
Using built-in UWB modules, both in the vehicle-side connector and in the charging plate at the parking lot, the distance between the two is measured in real time using so-called “time of flight” measurements. The exact charging position is shown to the driver via a display inside the vehicle and it starts immediately after confirming by clicking on the charging symbol.
Real operation of the joint development for e-taxis
In order to reduce emissions and further increase the quality of life in the city, Vienna and Graz are now increasingly relying on e-taxis. As part of the eTaxi Austria project, the world’s largest project for automated charging of e-taxis, the charging plates from Matrix Charging were rolled out directly at the taxi stands. With this automated charging directly at the parking spaces, the e-taxis are charged automatically without having to leave the vehicle or make a special trip to the e-charging station. The jointly developed UWB based positioning system from NXP and Easelink is already in use here. As part of the eTaxi Austria project implementation, 60 Hyundai Ioniq 5 and VW ID e-taxis equipped with Matrix Charging will be delivered. 4 into real operation and can be charged fully automatically at 60 Matrix Charging Pads distributed at 8 locations in Vienna and 2 locations in Graz. The first locations that went into operation in autumn 2023 included Vorgartenstrasse in Vienna and Schillerplatz in Graz. The project runs until March 2025.
