Robots Could Soon Fill Our Cars Up With Fuel

The next generation in fuel pumps was recently shown by Husky and Fuelmatics at the 2013 Petroleum Equipment Institute convention in Atlanta. A robot - which apparently shaves 30 per cent off the time it takes a human to fill a car - is not only more efficient, but eliminates the risk of spilling fuel on your hands or clothes.

So how does it work?

The robot locates the filler cap and removes it using a suction cup. Next, one of three nozzles is inserted into the fuel neck through a capless insert. The pump then fills the car to the desired amount, and removes the nozzle, before replacing the filler cap. Simples.

So that's the future, apparently; quicker refuelling times, increased passenger safety, and clean hands. Shame the robots don't help out with payments, however. What do you make of the idea?

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