The refueling of our cars is done just like it has been done for the past 70 years, and no major development has taken place. In the same period the technology has developed faster than ever, and today we have fast internet, smartphones, AI assistants and self-driving cars that will soon be present on the roads. Gas stations with robotic refueling can offer a top level convenience for both today's customer and for tomorrow's mobility.
In today’s energy retail market, convenience is one of the key parameters of competition. But nonetheless, on today's gas stations the convenience is mostly taking place inside the shop and not on the forecourt. Robotic refueling is convenience in its most valuable sort, - it basically gives the customer time. Stay in the car for a short break, or go to the shop for a coffee while the car is getting refueled. Manual refueling demands the driver's attention or direct involvement for at least as long as the car is being refueled.
With Autofuel robotic refueling, the driver is relieved from the refueling task and given more freedom.
Benefits for everyone
Autofuel brings in benefits for both the customer, the gas station and the energy company.
How payment is handled
The Autofuel robot not only refuels the car, it also takes care of customer identification and payments. No action is needed from the customer.
No modifications
Autofuel is an add-on to your existing dispenser, requires no modifications and still lets you refuel manually.
Autofuel is making sure that the technology you will find on your local gas station is just as advanced as the one you arrive in.
When signing up for using the Autofuel system, the customer will register the car details such as model, fuel type, payment details and license plate. The license plate is used for recognizing the car and customer details upon arrival at the gas station. Most customers will receive a special gas tank cap, for the fuel inlet on their car, but some new cars already have this cap installed from the factory. This gas cap will also make manual refueling easier, when visiting traditional gas stations.
ArrivalUpon arrival to the gas station, the license plate is being recognized by the Autofuel system.
From our cloud database, the robot receives the specific car details, along with the customer's payment details and preferred fuel type.
The driver will receive parking instructions on a screen as the car approaches the system, much like the instructions you know from the car wash.
RefuelingWhen the car is recognized and parked in the correct position, the refueling will start.
Autofuel is opening the fuel door and placing the nozzle from the dispenser in the fuel inlet.
The customer will be able to follow the refueling process and will see a message on the screen, when the robot has completed the refueling.
CompletionThe driver can drive away as soon as the green light is given. That will happen when the robotic arm has closed the fuel door on the car.
The payment has already been cleared, while the car was refueled.
For most people, refueling is not a joy but a necessary hassle. For gas station owners, long parking times at the dispenser and unorganized driving flows can lead to decreased income. Click below to read more about the benefits of using robotic refueling.
Autofuel is a fully automated robotic refueling system. We offer integrations with your existing payment/billing systems, at the desired level. The system can be completely automatic and start automatically when it recognizes the car, or it can integrate with a mobile app, from where the user can start the system. We will assist in finding the best model of collaboration that both suits your business needs and provides the optimal customer experience.
Using the existing customer base of the energy company, Autofuel can link the car's license plate and robot refueling data with existing customer cards, payment systems, mobile apps etc. Autofuel can both do user identification and request the payment/billing exclusively from license plate recognition.
Autofuel uses an advanced AI algorithm to position the car correctly. The AI system is able to position the car within +/- 1mm of accuracy. The allowed parking range varies depending on the car model, but is usually around 50-60 cm. The user is guided on a screen with intuitive graphics, showing everything from parking instructions to refueling status. During refueling, the screen can also be used for showing commercials.
Autofuel is not only for regular liquid fuels, but can also - by adjusting the robotic tool - handle alternative fuels such as electricity, hydrogen, CNG and LNG. No matter the type of fuel, Autofuel is the automated link between car and energy source.
Autonomous cars are soon a reality, and for these, Autofuel is the ideal solution, keeping them full of energy, without any human action involved.
Autofuel is not only for regular fossil fuels, but can also - by adjusting the robotic tool - handle alternative fuels such as CNG, LNG, hydrogen and electricity. No matter the type of fuel, Autofuel is the automated link between car and energy source.
Autonomous cars are soon a reality, and for these, Autofuel is the ideal solution, keeping them full of energy, without any human action involved.
The Autofuel system is mounted right next to the existing dispenser on the fuel island and can handle most of the available dispensers on the market.
The Autofuel system is an addition to the existing fuel dispenser. Therefore, the customer can always choose between automatic refueling or manual refueling.
