2023 Author: Bryan Walter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 22:24
Google engineers have begun testing wireless chargers on self-driving cars. This is based on documents sent by the company to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), reports IEEE Spectrum.
Google is testing two wireless charging systems in self-driving cars in California, according to the documents. These systems were developed separately by two companies - Hevo Power and Momentum Dynamics.
The principle of operation of chargers is the same. They transmit electricity wirelessly using a transmitter built into the ground and a receiver located in the underbody. The principle of operation is based on resonant electrodynamic induction. In this process, the transmitter and receiver are tuned to the same frequency and electricity is transmitted by an alternating magnetic field.
Hevo has unveiled a wireless charger called the Alpha, which transfers 1.5 kilowatts of power from a transmitter that resembles a manhole cover embedded in asphalt. Momentum Dynamics says they have created wireless transmitters that can transmit up to 200 kilowatts - however, the FCC data does not reveal the technical details of the devices under test.
Google engineers are currently testing several Momentum Dynamics chargers at the company's headquarters in Mountain View and at the Castle Commerce Center, where self-driving cars are being tested.
Recently, the Google Self-Driving Car Project began testing self-driving car technology on public roads in Kirkland, Washington. Kirkland was interesting for the project because of its rainy weather.
