Xiaomi unveils AI robotic EV charger for home garages

Chinese technology company Xiaomi has unveiled a robotic charging arm designed to automatically plug in and unplug electric vehicles in residential garages, aiming to bring to market a concept first demonstrated by Tesla over a decade ago. The system is scheduled for a retail launch in China in the fourth quarter of 2026.

The compact unit, with a body width of 152 millimeters, is intended to mount in tight garage spaces. It uses artificial intelligence and vision recognition to locate a vehicle's charging port with what the company describes as sub-millimeter precision. Once a driver parks, the robotic arm automatically extends, connects the charging cable, and initiates the session without requiring manual input. It will also automatically disconnect and retract the connector once the battery reaches a full charge or a user-defined limit.

A key feature is remote functionality, allowing owners to initiate charging via a smartphone application provided the vehicle is parked within the arm's reach. Xiaomi emphasized that its promotional demonstration was filmed in a real-world setting using actual hardware, suggesting the product is production-ready, though this has not been...