Xiaomi EV robotic charging arm. Credit: Xiaomi Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member Xiaomi Auto announced yesterday that its home charging robotic arm is expected to hit the market in the fourth quarter of 2026. According to Xiaomi, the robotic arm is designed to provide a seamless, intelligent experience that bridges automated parking with autonomous charging. Xiaomi emphasised that the demonstration video released alongside the announcement was filmed in a real-world setting, confirming that all showcased features are production-ready. Key features and user scenarios Xiaomi highlighted several convenience-focused scenarios for the home charging robotic arm: “Lazy” charging: Once the vehicle is parked, the system automatically initiates the charging process. Owners can simply park and walk away without needing to issue any commands or perform manual operations. Automatic unplugging: The robotic arm automatically disconnects the charging gun once the battery reaches full capacity or a pre-set limit. Remote charging: Users can initiate charging remotely via their smartphones, provided the vehicle is parked within the robotic arm’s reach, eliminating the need to physically attend to the car. The automatic charging video of Xiaomi’s robotic arm. The rise of automated charging The race for automated charging solutions is heating up, with several major players in the Chinese automotive sector making significant strides: Li Auto: During the launch of the Li Auto i8 pure electric SUV last year, CEO Li Xiang announced that the company was actively testing its own automatic charging robot. Li Auto’s charging robot. Aito: In August last year, Harmony Intelligent Mobility Alliance (HIMA) showcased a demonstration of the Aito M8 pure electric version using a robotic arm. The system allows drivers to use an “off-vehicle parking” feature to guide the car into a charging bay, where a smartphone app triggers the robotic arm to open the charging port and insert the plug. The process is designed to be completed within the time it takes to enjoy a cup of coffee. The robotic charging arm by HIMA. Star Charge: At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, Star Charge debuted its “Armstrong” fully automatic robotic charging system. Designed specifically to address the charging challenges of autonomous vehicles, the Armstrong system features high-precision AI visual recognition with millimetre-level accuracy and a multi-degree-of-freedom robotic arm that can complete the plug-in process in under 40 seconds. The system also supports liquid-cooled ultra-fast charging and is compatible with various international standards (GB, EU, US) through a patented adapter ring. The Armstrong robotic charging arm by Star Charge.
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