Hate pumping your own gas, especially when it’s pouring rain?
This new fuel-pumping robotic arm by Autofuel is the solution because it pumps your gas on its own, without any human intervention.
And it’s especially great in bad weather.
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How does the Autofuel robot work?
First, you register your car details, including license plate, fuel type, and payment details.
Once this is done, you will be given a special tank cap to fit inside your car to make refueling easier.
As soon as your car arrives at the gas station, the robot reads your license plate and determines which fuel to use.
Once your car is parked in the designated bay, the robot arm folds out and opens your fuel cap.
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Then it places the nozzle in the tank and starts pumping gas for you while you sit back and relax.
All you have to do is wait for a little light to alert you to when the tank is full.
When that light turns green, the job is done and you’re ready to drive off.
The company says the robot will also take care of payment by charging your card automatically.
You can watch it in action here!
This is undoubtedly the result of some incredible engineering, but we do see some faults with the Autofuel robot.
Negatives
First, owners need to install a special cap on their cars in order to use the robot.
This doesn’t seem entirely practical.
Second, Autofuel says the robot is an add-on to the existing dispenser and requires no modifications when installing it.
But is there an installation cost?
And would that cost trickle down to customers, making fuel even more expensive than it is today?
Third, it’s hard to go without noticing just how slow the robot is.
In the time the robot took to fill up the tank, a driver could get out, fuel their car, go inside, pay for the gas, buy a lotto ticket, and be back in their car ready to go.
In saying this, technology is a fast-evolving beast, so it’s likely the robot will get quicker in time.
But there are also a number of positives.
Positives
The Autofuel robot is a huge step forward for technology and could be a huge benefit for drivers with a disability.
Not only would it provide convenience, but the Autofuel robot would create a safer environment, especially when needing fuel at night in high crime areas.
It’s also a fantastic option in bad weather, especially when it’s snowing.
And having a bad hair day? Don’t sweat it, the Autofuel robot’s got you.
