A robotic arm that refuels cars in service stations has been launched in the Netherlands. However, the product is unlikely to become a widespread success given that because most European markets have unmanned pumps, the new technology equates to an extra cost that is likely to make it prohibitive for many fuel retailers.

A group of Dutch inventors has unveiled the ‘TankPitstop’, a robot that automatically refuels a car when it arrives at the forecourt. The E75,000 (GBP56,000) machine works by reading a car’s number plate and matching it to a database of fuel cap designs and fuel types.

The robotic arm, which is attached a normal petrol pump, has a number of sensors that enable it to undertake all of the tasks that the driver would usually carry out, such as unscrewing the petrol cap and placing the nozzle into the tank opening. The inventors behind the product hope to roll it out to a number of petrol stations in the Netherlands by the end of 2008.

However, notwithstanding the innovative nature of the robotic arm, the product is unlikely to be universally successful across Europe. Firstly, as the technology only works on cars with tanks that can be opened without a key, it will not work on the majority of modern cars. Secondly, if the robot is installed at unmanned pumps, which most European markets now use, it is not replacing a cost, but is just an added convenience for drivers.

Furthermore, even in markets where pumps are unmanned, forecourt retailers would have to see a significant increase in customer throughput to make the arm financially viable. For example, for each robotic arm purchased, the fuel retailer would have to sell the equivalent of an extra 2.1 million liters of petrol, or an extra 42,000 motorists filling up their tanks.

Essentially, the robotic arm faces a number of obstacles. From a practical point of view, it is limited due to the fact that it only works on cars with tanks that can be opened without a key. Furthermore, the arm is only relevant to those markets where pumps are unmanned, which limits the potential for it to be rolled out across Europe. Finally, given the high costs involved, it is unlikely that fuel retailers will consider it to be a wise investment.

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