Tesla's new Snake Charger-Robot - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: HP-ILnerd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 01:34:55 am
content: They had me at "Snake Charger Robot" in much the same way SpaceX had me at "Autonomous Droneship Spaceport"https://youtu.be/uMM0lRfX6YIIt should play Funkadelic or something while it operates.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 01:49:41 am
content: Oh man! I'd call it sexy but I don't think that quite covers it.Very little practical value except maybe for the Tesla owner too lazy or forgetful to plug their car in. But somehow practical is not what I think Tesla is shooting for with this.I can hear the pick up lines from the Silicon Valley elite now: " hey baby, I've got a snake charger - wanna see it?"

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 02:18:28 am
content: Hey baby.I can stick it the hole......Without using any hands.

author: cimmo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 02:53:56 am
content: Quote from: mtdoc on August 07, 2015, 01:49:41 amI understand the reasoning behind this is so that when Tesla implements an 'auto park' feature, then it will also 'auto charge'.Quote from: HP-ILnerd on August 07, 2015, 01:34:55 amLike this?

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 12:53:12 pm
content: I wonder how many cars they scratched trying to get that right.That's a nice looking paint job in red...

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 01:06:19 pm
content: Quote from: mtdoc on August 07, 2015, 01:49:41 amI think they are aiming for a car you can just get in and out of at your front door while it parks and charges itself in your garage. Perhaps still not practical or cost effective for most people, but hopefully in time all the costs get squeezed down because I could watch that all day.

author: HP-ILnerd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 02:56:05 pm
content: Quote from: cimmo on August 07, 2015, 02:53:56 amPerfect. That adds a whole layer of wrong.

author: ajb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 06:22:00 pm
content: Quote from: cimmo on August 07, 2015, 02:53:56 amWell done!The snake robot seems like an interesting choice. I'd have thought that the mechanics and kinematics would be simpler with a more traditional jointed arm, but I suppose if they're using the charging cable itself as the 'spine' of the arm then the snake format makes more sense, especially since it doesn't need to manipulate any amount of weight at its tip.

author: continuo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 06:55:48 pm
content: Interesting concept, could also be used for automated colonoscopy

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 07:12:49 pm
content: Quote from: continuo on August 07, 2015, 06:55:48 pmi think not. you don't want our supercharger rammed where the sun don't shine... not if you know it can deliver 400 volt at 340 amps .... continuously...

author: PA0PBZ
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 07:20:32 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on August 07, 2015, 07:12:49 pmSo how do you bend those cables so smoothly? It must be quite heavy wire...

author: jezsmith41
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 07:34:27 pm
content: Could be nasty if you are bending over getting the shopping out of the bootSent from my Xoom using Tapatalk

author: continuo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 07:46:31 pm
content: Just don't drop the soap...

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 08:24:08 pm
content: Quote from: PA0PBZ on August 07, 2015, 07:20:32 pmThe next generation supercharging cables are water cooled to make them thinner (less copper), which to me seems a little excessive.I tried the one at Leeds. It's REALLY thick, but not too bad to move about. Has some flexibility. Not as flexible as a normal cable but not impossible to move.

author: Mechanical Menace
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 09:23:13 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on August 07, 2015, 07:12:49 pmI just had a ... crisis....How long can they actually keep that up?

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2015, 10:46:24 pm
content: Boy robot meets girl robot.(or in LGBT world...)

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2015, 12:37:07 am
content: Quote from: SL4P on August 07, 2015, 10:46:24 pmCould be girl robot meets boy robot.Boy robot meets boy robot.Girl robot meets girl robot......Unlimited amount of fun

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 08, 2015, 01:21:08 am
content: QuoteQuote

author: Vgkid
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 08, 2015, 01:44:14 am
content: ^^^You sneaky breeki.I was going to post that, Not sure if it is possible to see enough though.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2015, 12:04:24 am
content: What type of robot is this?

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2015, 12:10:18 am
content: It can deliver 120 kWatts?Alexander.

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2015, 01:49:38 am
content: Looking at many of the responses to this thread it's no wonder nerds can't get dates.

author: EEMarc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2015, 11:56:24 am
content: Quote from: tom66 on August 07, 2015, 08:24:08 pmA cable capable of charging at 120kW continuous or higher at a reasonable temperature in the summer would be very difficult to maneuver when cold. I have a USB cable for my phone in my car. Now that it is summer, it is very flexible. In the winter it becomes stiff enough that I can't charge it in a cupholder like I do in the summer.This video shows thermal imaging of an old supercharger without liquid cooling:This video shows thermal imaging of a liquid cooled supercharger:

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 09, 2015, 12:51:03 pm
content: Wire can be made very flexible if it's composed of many very fine strands; silicone insulation also won't get as stiff at lot temperatures.

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2015, 08:51:58 am
content: Quote from: amyk on August 09, 2015, 12:51:03 pmYes if you have ever seen cabling for inside cold storage facilities it remains flexible down to at least -25°C (probably lower). Normal cables freeze almost solid at those temperatures. The downside of the low temperature cable is that the insulation becomes quite flimsy, at room temperature you could strip it easily with fingernails. For that reason it's always installed in conduit.

author: firewalker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2015, 09:06:36 am
content: How do you pay on those charging stations?Alexander.

author: retrolefty
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2015, 01:53:08 pm
content: Quote from: firewalker on August 10, 2015, 09:06:36 amI thought I read or viewed that it's free for owners of Tesla cars?

author: EEMarc
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 10, 2015, 02:12:39 pm
content: Telsa Superchargers are free. The intent is for customers to use them for trips.

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 11, 2015, 04:19:44 pm
content: It's free (included) on all new Tesla cars, and Mr Musk has made the comment that it'll be free on all their newer models (although it's unknown whether there will be an upfront charge to get it enabled.)