According to IEEE Spectrum, documents filed to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission indicate that new efforts toward Google’s prototype autonomous cars include the testing of several wireless charging systems for the vehicles in California. The systems come from two companies that specialize in creating charging plates for vehicles, Hevo Power and Momentum Dynamics.
Documents show that in the first half of 2015, the FCC gave both companies permission to install experimental chargers at Google’s Mountain View, California headquarters. IEEE Spectrum reports that Google engineers now have multiple Momentum Dynamics chargers at both headquarters and the former U.S. Air Force base, the Castle Commerce Center, where Google tests the cars.
At their roots, the wireless charging systems will be a tool to help individuals charge vehicles in a more accessible fashion—particularly, it seems, those who will depend on the cars due to their inability to drive. An additional goal is for self-driving cars to be able to charge between rides, allowing for automakers to produce smaller, lighter batteries. From IEEE Spectrum:
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“We’ve heard countless stories from people who need a fully self-driving car today,” [director of Google’s driverless car program, Chris Urmson] wrote in December. “We’ve heard from people with health conditions ranging from vision problems to multiple sclerosis to autism to epilepsy who are frustrated with their dependence on others for even simple errands.”
All Google cars currently testing on public roads retain their traditional charging cables, according to IEEE Spectrum. But there are more extensive plans for the technology, even if they are lofty—IEEE Spectrum added that “ultimately, the infrastructure would be put in place that would allow a car to continually recharge its batteries as it travels along the road.”
At least one company is on that same page. From The Verge:
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… companies like Qualcomm have variously suggested over the years that wireless chargers could someday be embedded in public roadways, enabling cars to stay charged even as they drive.
And while roadway charging could be a future goal—for more than just Google cars—IEEE Spectrum reports that both charging companies declined to confirm their potential work on the Google-car project. Google dodged the question as well, adding that it tests a lot of technologies for its driverless cars.
Whatever the future may be, at least we can bet that it won’t be disappointing.
Photo credit: AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File
Contact the author at alanis.king@jalopnik.com.
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