World’s First Gas Station Robot Completes Operation In Just 3 Minutes

Searching Agility And Efficiency In Fueling Vehicles, Sinopec Developed A Robot Attendant Project That Could Be The End Of The Profession In Some Countries. The Robot Can Serve The Driver In Just 3 Minutes

The China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) is already conducting the first tests of the world’s first robot attendant, created by the company itself. The company announced the first phase of testing at the beginning of the month, and operations with the robot attendant are taking place in the city of Nanning. The activities of the robot are expected to save time, providing greater convenience to drivers who need to fuel their vehicles quickly. In addition, the new robot’s service could replace humans in the profession.

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Refueling In Just 3 Minutes

To use the robot, the driver must download the Sinopec app and request the service; the robot attendant will be responsible for identifying the fuel tank cap, opening the cap, inserting the nozzle, and completing the operation by returning to the starting position.

All these steps of the robot attendant are performed in just 3 minutes, using resources that make the project smarter and capable of performing such tasks. Among the technologies are facial recognition and satellite positioning systems that offer functions such as:

• Dynamic Monitoring
• Automatic Identification
• Simulation Operation
• Precise Positioning
• Information Sharing
• Real-Time Feedback

There are also other functions that provide greater safety for the driver, such as an abnormal intrusion alarm and emergency stop for off-time starts.

Volkswagen Developed Technology Similar To The Robot Attendant From China

Although Sinopec’s robot attendant is the first in the world and could end the profession, the German automaker Volkswagen previously presented similar technology in December 2020. The model presented by the automaker was aimed only at electric models and was called Beep Boop.

Just like Sinopec’s robot attendant, all communication happens through an app. In the prototype presented by the German automaker, the robot attendant opens the charging port cover, connects the electric model to the power supply unit, and then returns to the charging station.

Possible End Of The Profession In Brazil

In September, a bill was presented by federal deputy Kim Kataguiri (DEM-SP), which aims to end the profession of gas station attendants in Brazil and also make a series of new adaptations at fuel stations. According to the deputy, with the dismissal of professionals, the idea is to lower fuel prices and make gas stations more modern, making them similar to the model existing in the United States.

Thus, with the bill, gas stations would need to make adaptations for the self-service process, which does not involve the activities of the attendant profession. The deputy acknowledges that the bill could lead to layoffs, but states that discussions are ongoing with sectors of the industry to ensure that the adaptation goes through a transition period, which could last about 5 years.

According to the deputy, the main increases in fuel prices are not only linked to operations at gas stations but also to the rise of the dollar and taxation.