Autonomous vehicle for temporarily powering electric vehicles (EVs) on the road
Methods and systems for charging an electric vehicle (EV) are described herein. An EV may require additional battery power to reach a charging station. A remote server in communication with the EV or an on-board computer or mobile device in the EV may obtain data to determine a location for the EV to meet a charging vehicle. The charging vehicle may be dispatched to meet the EV and deliver power to it, enabling the EV to reach a charging station or other destination. In some examples, the charging vehicle may deliver power to the EV while both vehicles are stationary. In other examples, the charging vehicle may couple to the EV while both vehicles are in motion.
1 . A computer-implemented method for charging an electric vehicle (EV) while the EV is moving, comprising:
obtaining, by one or more processors, a request to deliver electrical power to the EV;
selecting, by the one or more processors, an autonomous charging vehicle (ACV) of a plurality of ACVs to charge the EV having a highest battery power remaining of each of the plurality of ACVs, wherein the selected ACV is configured to charge the EV while the EV and the selected ACV are each moving;
dispatching, by the one or more processors, the selected ACV to a coupling location; and
causing, by the one or more processors, the selected ACV to deliver the electrical power to the EV for a threshold charging period, wherein the selected ACV and the EV are each moving during at least a portion of the threshold charging period.
2 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
causing, by the one or more processors, a prompt to be displayed to a vehicle occupant requesting input from the vehicle occupant regarding whether to dispatch the selected ACV.
3 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the selected ACV is dispatched automatically.
4 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the selected ACV delivers the electrical power to the EV wirelessly.
5 . The computer-implemented method of claim 4 , wherein:
the selected ACV is configured to deliver the electrical power to the EV using a magnet system.
6 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the selected ACV is a drone.
7 . The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein:
the selected ACV is a tow truck; and
the selected ACV delivers electrical power to the EV while towing the EV.
8 . A computer system for charging an electric vehicle (EV), comprising:
one or more processors;
a non-transitory computer-readable memory coupled to the one or more processors and storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
obtain a request to deliver electrical power to the EV;
select an autonomous charging vehicle (ACV) of a plurality of ACVs to charge the EV having a highest battery power remaining of each of the plurality of ACVs, wherein the selected ACV is configured to charge the EV while the EV and the selected ACV are each moving;
dispatch the selected ACV to a coupling location; and
cause the selected ACV to deliver the electrical power to the EV for a threshold charging period, wherein the selected ACV and the EV are each moving during at least a portion of the threshold charging period.
9 . The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
cause a prompt to be displayed to a vehicle occupant requesting input from the vehicle occupant regarding whether to dispatch the selected ACV.
10 . The computer system of claim 8 , wherein:
the selected ACV is dispatched automatically.
11 . The computer system of claim 8 , wherein:
the selected ACV delivers the electrical power to the EV wirelessly.
12 . The computer system of claim 11 , wherein:
the selected ACV is configured to deliver the electrical power to the EV using a magnet system.
13 . The computer system of claim 8 , wherein the selected ACV is a drone.
14 . The computer system of claim 8 , wherein:
the selected ACV is a tow truck; and
the selected ACV delivers electrical power to the EV while towing the EV.
15 . A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing executable instructions for charging an electric vehicle (EV) that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to:
obtain a request to deliver electrical power to the EV;
select an autonomous charging vehicle (ACV) of a plurality of ACVs to charge the EV having a highest battery power remaining of each of the plurality of ACVs, wherein the selected ACV is configured to charge the EV while the EV and the selected ACV are each moving;
dispatch the selected ACV to a coupling location; and
cause the selected ACV to deliver the electrical power to the EV for a threshold charging period, wherein the selected ACV and the EV are each moving during at least a portion of the threshold charging period.
16 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the executable instructions further cause the one or more processors to:
cause a prompt to be displayed to a vehicle occupant requesting input from the vehicle occupant regarding whether to dispatch the selected ACV.
17 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein:
the selected ACV is dispatched automatically.
18 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein:
the selected ACV delivers the electrical power to the EV wirelessly.
19 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein the selected ACV is a drone.
20 . The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15 , wherein:
the selected ACV is a tow truck; and
the selected ACV delivers electrical power to the EV while towing the EV.