Ever since Tesla’s We, Robot event unveiled the Cybercab and the latest version of Optimus, the conversation around AI-powered machines has exploded. While these announcements sparked imaginations worldwide, they didn’t exactly come out of nowhere. In fact, perhaps the first AI-powered machine—Stanford’s Shakey—emerged in the late 1960s, able to perceive its surroundings and make decisions.
From then to now, autonomous machines powered by artificial intelligence have been reshaping how we live and work. In this blog, we explore some of the most advanced and fascinating machines out there—diving into what they do, who makes them, and how they are very much part of the eMobility world through the electric powertrains and charging systems that keep them moving.
One of the most compelling examples of full automation comes from Xiaomi, which has built a completely human-free “dark factory” in Changping. This facility operates around the clock, producing one smartphone every 3 seconds, thanks to AI-powered machines that manage everything from assembly to packaging. The entire system is monitored and optimized by self-developed AI, ensuring maximum performance with zero human oversight.
In Melbourne, Coles has unveiled a groundbreaking AI-powered distribution centre developed with UK-based Ocado Group. Spanning 87,000 square meters, the site features over 700 robots working together in ‘The Hive’, where an AI “air traffic control” system coordinates rapid order picking—completing a 50-item order in just five minutes.
Powertrain and Charging:
These robots are fully electric. The machines in the Xiaomi factory rely on compact lithium-ion batteries to power their motors, sensors, and processors. To maintain continuous operation, advanced wireless charging solutions are employed. Companies like WiBotic specialize in wireless charging systems for industrial robots, providing reliable and efficient energy replenishment without the need for physical connectors.
The fully electric machines in the ‘The Hive’ are powered in part by solar energy, the facility is a bold example of how automation and eMobility are reshaping the future of retail logistics.
Some of the most impressive real-world applications of AI and autonomy are happening on highways. The Tesla Semi is designed to handle heavy freight across long distances with minimal driver input, using onboard AI to navigate, manage energy use, and maintain safety. Meanwhile, Waymo Via, from Alphabet’s Waymo division, is building out a fleet of autonomous trucks equipped with advanced sensors and machine learning algorithms to deliver goods across long distances.
These trucks are capable of planning optimal routes, detecting obstacles, and responding to traffic conditions without human intervention. For the logistics sector, they offer not just cost savings—but also the promise of safer, more consistent long-distance transport.
Powertrain and Charging:
Autonomous trucks run on enormous lithium-ion battery systems, designed for range and durability. Charging infrastructure is evolving rapidly to meet these demands. One notable advancement comes from Fortescue, which is testing a 6MW fast-charging system capable of powering electric trucks in just 30 minutes—enough for around six hours of operation.
Also supporting this high-power future are companies like Kwetta, whose Prime Grid Gateway acts as a critical bridge between the grid and heavy-duty charging systems. The technology enables stable, scalable DC fast charging for large vehicles like autonomous trucks, balancing grid loads while delivering megawatt-scale power. Solutions like Kwetta, a company out of New Zealand that is now launching in Europe, are essential as fleets grow and demand more reliable, intelligent energy management.
Autonomous delivery is no longer a futuristic fantasy—it’s happening today. Amazon Prime Air has been testing autonomous drones that can deliver packages (including food) directly to customers in under 30 minutes. Likewise, Wing is operating drone delivery networks for coffee, takeaway meals, and small groceries in select cities across Australia, the United States and Finland, with plans to expand across Europe in the pipeline.
These drones use AI to chart efficient, low-altitude flight paths, avoid obstacles, and safely lower packages to doorsteps or designated landing zones. In high-density areas or hard-to-reach rural locations, they offer a new way to deliver convenience quickly and with minimal environmental impact.
Powertrain and Charging:
Delivery drones are powered by lightweight lithium-polymer batteries that balance flight time with payload capacity. To maintain operational efficiency, autonomous charging solutions are essential. HEISHA offers the D300, a standalone autonomous drone charging dock specifically designed for delivery drones, featuring an automatic package-swapping mechanism and self-charging capabilities. Skysense, a Swedish company, provides contact-based charging pads for drones, offering a lightweight and scalable charging solution ideal for frequent, short-range delivery networks.
In the surgical suite, amazing machines like the da Vinci System from Intuitive Surgical are enabling ultra-precise procedures with the help of AI. Surgeons guide the robot’s movements remotely, translating their hand motions into exact, scaled-down movements inside the patient’s body—minimizing invasiveness and improving recovery times.
Beyond surgery, companies like Cuviva are using AI to monitor and support elderly and chronically ill patients remotely. Their systems can detect early warning signs, track patient habits, and notify healthcare providers when intervention is needed—improving outcomes while reducing the burden on healthcare workers.
Powertrain and Charging:
Most surgical robots remain stationary and are connected to continuous power sources in operating rooms. However, mobile medical robots—used in diagnostics, cleaning, or supply delivery—run on rechargeable battery packs. To enhance efficiency, wireless charging solutions are being adopted. Medigus and Telerobot Labs, for example, are exploring integrated charging technologies in mobile hospital robotics that enable them to operate with minimal human intervention—crucial in healthcare settings where uptime and hygiene are paramount.
Autonomous cleaning machines have quietly become a key part of commercial and public spaces. Companies like Gaussian Robotics and Avidbots are leading the charge with robots that can scrub floors, clean carpets, and sanitize surfaces in high-traffic areas like airports, malls, and hospitals.
The Neo robot from Avidbots is a standout example—it uses AI, lidar, and real-time mapping to clean efficiently, navigate crowded spaces, and adapt to spills or layout changes. These machines operate largely without supervision, reporting back usage data and cleaning metrics to facility managers.
Powertrain and Charging:
Cleaning robots typically run on high-capacity lithium-ion batteries that deliver several hours of operation per charge. Most are programmed to return to a docking station when power runs low, where they automatically recharge before resuming work. To streamline this process and reduce downtime, companies like Wiferion provide wireless charging solutions that eliminate the need for physical connectors. Their technology allows cleaning robots to charge efficiently and autonomously in high-traffic environments like airports, malls, and warehouses—supporting true 24/7 operation.
From warehouses to hospital corridors and highways to rooftops, AI-powered machines are no longer experimental—they're operational, efficient, and increasingly electric. Each of these machines relies on the same foundation as electric vehicles: clean, battery-powered propulsion. Whether it’s a humanoid robot, a long-haul truck, or a flying drone, the rise of intelligent autonomy is deeply intertwined with the rise of eMobility.
As AI continues to evolve, the integration of smart machines and electric power is creating not just a more automated world—but a greener and more sustainable one, too.
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