joyvy67
02-06-2008, 08:03 AM
Next time you pull up to your local gas station, you may be greeted with a pleasant surprise at the pump. No, not a 50% discount on fuel, but a new form of full service straight from the Netherlands. And this one won't complain if you forget to tip.
http://img37.imagevenue.com/loc670/th_84888_R3_2.img_assist_custom_123_670lo.jpg (http://img37.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=84888_R3_2.img_assist_custom_123_670 lo.jpg)
Earlier this week, Dutch inventors revealed their $111,100 car fueling robot that according to them is the first of its kind. As you pull up to the pump, the robot will register you vehicle and match it with a database to verify the proper fuel cap design and grade of gasoline. Assumedly, you will have to input a few commands such as to how much fuel and what grade, other than that, the entire process is automated.
A robotic arm extends toward the car and, using a small army of sensors so it doesn't scratch your paint, it flips open your fuel door, unscrews the cap and inserts the nozzle into the tank opening. The system which was named "Tankpitstop" will work with any vehicle that doesn't require a key to open the fuel door and whose dimensions were pre-programmed.
http://img37.imagevenue.com/loc670/th_84888_R3_2.img_assist_custom_123_670lo.jpg (http://img37.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=84888_R3_2.img_assist_custom_123_670 lo.jpg)
Earlier this week, Dutch inventors revealed their $111,100 car fueling robot that according to them is the first of its kind. As you pull up to the pump, the robot will register you vehicle and match it with a database to verify the proper fuel cap design and grade of gasoline. Assumedly, you will have to input a few commands such as to how much fuel and what grade, other than that, the entire process is automated.
A robotic arm extends toward the car and, using a small army of sensors so it doesn't scratch your paint, it flips open your fuel door, unscrews the cap and inserts the nozzle into the tank opening. The system which was named "Tankpitstop" will work with any vehicle that doesn't require a key to open the fuel door and whose dimensions were pre-programmed.