Rocsys paves the way for automated EV charging in ports and yards

Crijn Bouman, CEO and co-founder of Rocsys highlighted the importance of their solution in hazardous environments. "At the moment, we are working in a waste processing plant in Sweden, and it's a very dangerous environment, so the driver needs to stay inside the vehicle," Bouman explained. By implementing Rocsys's autonomous charging system, workers can avoid potential risks and operate more safely.

Rocsys has already forged partnerships with prominent companies such as Hyster, a leading electric forklift manufacturer; Taylor Machine Works, an industrial equipment supplier. And SSA Marine, a major port operator. Additionally, the startup is on the cusp of finalizing a commercial partnership with one of North America's largest Big Box retailers.

More ambitions of Rocsys

But Rocsys's ambitions don't end with heavy-duty logistics. The company recently closed a $36 million Series A funding round, earmarking the funds for expanding its North American division and conducting research and development in the automotive sector.

Rocsys plans to collaborate with automakers preparing to introduce automated valet functionality in the near future. As Bouman emphasized, automated EV charging will go hand-in-hand with these advancements.

Looking ahead, Rocsys sees potential use cases for its technology in fleets of self-driving robotaxis and delivery vehicles. Bouman revealed that the company is already working with American autonomous vehicle (AV) companies to establish charging hubs for their AV fleets.

Managing a large-scale charger with autonomous vehicles can be demanding, requiring a dedicated crew, and any errors can result in financial losses. Rocsys aims to address these challenges with its automated charging solutions.

One of the standout features of Rocsys's solution is its ability to be retrofitted onto existing and future chargers, regardless of the charging standards used. Whether it's CCS, NACS, or any other format, Rocsys's robotic equipment can adapt. The company's business model involves a one-time purchase of the robotic equipment and a recurring service fee.

Bouman explained that the AI operating system is trained on the customer data generated at each site, ensuring continuous improvement and better performance. Rocsys also provides API connectivity for seamless integration with fleet management systems, offering customers a truly streamlined experience.

Currently, one Rocsys robot costs between $20,000 and $30,000, with an annual fee of around $2,000. However, the next generation of the product is expected to have a more compact form factor and a significantly lower price point—around 60% of the current cost. By 2027, Rocsys aims to launch the third-generation robot at a sub-$10,000 price, coinciding with the anticipated surge of cars with automated driving features entering the market.