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Wiferion has announced the release of the etaLINK 1000, the latest and smallest edition of its line of robot charging systems. When integrated into a robot, the charging unit measures just 160 mm (around 6.3 inches), making it 36% smaller than the company’s next standard charging unit the etaLINK 3000. 

The etaLINK 1000 aims to provide high positioning toleration, maintenance-free operation and start-up of power transfer in around one second. It delivers power for compact fulfillment robots and can transfer energy without contact with a 1 kW capacity. 

“In the last three years, we have sold more than 8,000 3 kW and 12 kW systems. Our customers have expressed demand for a smaller version of etaLINK to power smaller robots. The etaLINK 1000 is the answer to this challenge,” Matthieu Ebert, VP of Wiferion North America, said.

Wiferion’s charging units can be used in sorter, shuttle, commissioning and more applications, where there is a demand for small goods-to-person robots. The company aims to eliminate the unproductive charging times, downtimes and expensive maintenance work that other complex charging systems come with. 

The etaLINK 1000 starts and stops charging automatically and provides the full 42A within one second with 93% accuracy. It’s easy to get the chargers up and running quickly with a plug-and-play setup, according to the company. 

Wiferion’s full line of robot charging systems includes the etaLINK 1000, the etaLINK 3000 and the etaLINK 12000. The etaLINK 12000 enables in-process charging of the lithium-ion batteries of driverless transport systems, industrial trucks and mobile robots. 

The company is based in Germany and established a North American subsidiary in Chicago earlier this year. This new location will help Wiferion shorten delivery times, enhance onsite services and support and provide consulting services for North American companies in need of advanced charging systems.