Periodic Reporting for period 1 - MXI (MXI: MATRIX CHARGING INTERFACE INTEGRATING EVS INTO A SMART ENERGY SYSTEM)
Période du rapport: 2025-05-01 au 2026-04-30
Electric vehicles are an important part of the transition towards cleaner transport and a more sustainable energy system. However, charging still often requires manual cable handling and active user interaction. This can reduce convenience and limit the number of situations in which vehicles are actually connected to the grid.
The MXI project aims to further develop Matrix Charging, an automated conductive charging technology for electric vehicles. The system enables an automatic electrical connection between a connector on the vehicle and a charging pad installed on the ground. This allows the vehicle to charge when parked above the pad, without the driver having to plug in a cable.
The overall objective of the project is to mature Matrix Charging towards a B-sample product generation and prepare the technology for future industrialisation and market introduction. The project focuses on the vehicle-side connector, the ground-based charging pad and the related infrastructure-side wallbox. In addition, the project establishes the required system architecture, requirements management, software development approach and verification basis for an automotive-grade product.
By making charging more convenient and more available during parking, the technology can also support smart charging and future vehicle-to-grid applications. This can help electric vehicles become part of a more flexible and renewable energy-based electricity system.
The MXI project aims to further develop Matrix Charging, an automated conductive charging technology for electric vehicles. The system enables an automatic electrical connection between a connector on the vehicle and a charging pad installed on the ground. This allows the vehicle to charge when parked above the pad, without the driver having to plug in a cable.
The overall objective of the project is to mature Matrix Charging towards a B-sample product generation and prepare the technology for future industrialisation and market introduction. The project focuses on the vehicle-side connector, the ground-based charging pad and the related infrastructure-side wallbox. In addition, the project establishes the required system architecture, requirements management, software development approach and verification basis for an automotive-grade product.
By making charging more convenient and more available during parking, the technology can also support smart charging and future vehicle-to-grid applications. This can help electric vehicles become part of a more flexible and renewable energy-based electricity system.
During the project, the Matrix Charging technology was advanced from an advanced prototype stage towards a more mature product development level. The work focused on improving the overall system design, strengthening the engineering basis and preparing the technology for future industrialisation.
A central achievement was the refinement of the complete Matrix Charging system architecture. The system now covers the vehicle-side, ground-side and infrastructure-side elements of the charging solution in a more structured way. This provides a clearer technical basis for further development, verification and future integration with vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The main hardware components were further developed with a focus on robustness, manufacturability, outdoor suitability and automotive integration. This includes the vehicle-side connector, and the infrastructure-side components including the groud pad. Together, these developments represent an important step towards a more series-oriented product concept.
In parallel, the software development approach was fundamentally redefined. New processes, tools and traceability methods were established to support a more automotive-oriented development workflow. This provides a stronger basis for systematic implementation, review and verification of the Matrix Charging software.
Overall, the project has created a more mature and integrated development basis for Matrix Charging, combining improved system architecture, refined hardware design and a more structured software development approach.
A central achievement was the refinement of the complete Matrix Charging system architecture. The system now covers the vehicle-side, ground-side and infrastructure-side elements of the charging solution in a more structured way. This provides a clearer technical basis for further development, verification and future integration with vehicles and charging infrastructure.
The main hardware components were further developed with a focus on robustness, manufacturability, outdoor suitability and automotive integration. This includes the vehicle-side connector, and the infrastructure-side components including the groud pad. Together, these developments represent an important step towards a more series-oriented product concept.
In parallel, the software development approach was fundamentally redefined. New processes, tools and traceability methods were established to support a more automotive-oriented development workflow. This provides a stronger basis for systematic implementation, review and verification of the Matrix Charging software.
Overall, the project has created a more mature and integrated development basis for Matrix Charging, combining improved system architecture, refined hardware design and a more structured software development approach.
Matrix Charging combines the convenience of automated charging with the efficiency advantages of a conductive electrical connection. Compared with manual plug-in charging, it removes the need for cable handling. Compared with inductive charging, the conductive approach offers a promising path towards high energy efficiency while still enabling automated operation.
The project results go beyond a functional demonstration by moving the technology towards a more structured, automotive-oriented and industrialisation-ready product architecture. This includes improved system decomposition, clearer interfaces, more mature mechanical and electronic designs, and a dedicated software development basis.
The technology has potential in private charging, fleets, taxis, shared mobility and public or semi-public parking environments. By increasing the likelihood that vehicles are connected while parked, automated charging can also support smart charging and future vehicle-to-grid services.
Further uptake will depend on continued validation, demonstration in real operating environments, cooperation with vehicle and infrastructure partners, and alignment with relevant standards and interoperability requirements.
The project results go beyond a functional demonstration by moving the technology towards a more structured, automotive-oriented and industrialisation-ready product architecture. This includes improved system decomposition, clearer interfaces, more mature mechanical and electronic designs, and a dedicated software development basis.
The technology has potential in private charging, fleets, taxis, shared mobility and public or semi-public parking environments. By increasing the likelihood that vehicles are connected while parked, automated charging can also support smart charging and future vehicle-to-grid services.
Further uptake will depend on continued validation, demonstration in real operating environments, cooperation with vehicle and infrastructure partners, and alignment with relevant standards and interoperability requirements.